List of All Articles with Tag 'sport'

Manuel Akanji has his sights firmly set on the treble after Manchester City took a huge stride towards becoming only the second English side to achieve that feat. City ruthlessly swept aside 14-time European kings Real Madrid 4-0 on Wednesday to power into next month’s Champions League final. With the team also on the brink of securing their fifth Premier League title in six seasons and through to the FA Cup final, a glorious end to the season is on the cards. Claiming all three trophies would see them emulate the achievement of rivals Manchester United – coincidentally their FA Cup opponents at Wembley – in 1999. City defender Akanji, who joined the club from Borussia Dortmund in September, said: “First we have got to win the Premier League. That’s what we can do on the weekend and I hope we are going to do it. “Then it’s two finals and we want to win both of them. “It would be unbelievable. It is my first season here. It is the best team I have ever played in and we have been really confident in the second part of the season. “I think we’ve done a really good job but we’ve got to keep it up until the end.” Victory over Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday would see City clinch the Premier League with two games to spare. Manager Pep Guardiola would then have the luxury of being able to rest or rotate players ahead of their finals, against United on June 3 and Inter Milan in Istanbul a week later. Their stunning performance against Real, when they trampled all over the most successful club in European competition history to complete a 5-1 aggregate win, puts them at short odds to complete all three. “It’s a great feeling,” said Switzerland defender Akanji, who was responsible for City’s third goal after his glancing header was deflected in by Eder Militao. “From the first minute we stepped on the court we were confident. “I think at home, in all the knockout games, we have had pretty impressive wins. It shows how good we are here and now we have got to do this at the weekend as well to bring home the Premier League and then two other titles too.” Bernardo Silva set up City’s victory with two first-half goals and Julian Alvarez completed the rout late on. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Domingo Miotti given the nod to start at 10 for Glasgow in showdown with Toulon Sam Hain at peace with his game and keen to get wins for Warwickshire Ben Kavanagh hoping for hometown glory with Halifax when Saints come marching in

Bernardo Silva is determined to right a wrong after firing Manchester City back to the Champions League final. The Portugal playmaker struck twice as City overpowered Real Madrid 4-0 in the second leg of their semi-final on Wednesday to set up a clash with Inter Milan in next month’s Istanbul showpiece. It marks a return to the final for City two years on from their disappointing loss to Chelsea on European club football’s top night and Silva wants to ensure the result is different this time. The 28-year-old said: “The final of the Champions League is always an unbelievable occasion. “I’ve only played it once and the outcome was wasn’t very happy for me. Let’s try and change that. “We know that we play against a very tough team. I watched their game on Tuesday and they are very organised collectively. “We’re going to study them, follow the manager’s plan once again and try to, individually and collectively, put out the best possible performance, like this one, to be as close as possible to winning that game.” City produced one of the greatest performances in the club’s history to move a step closer to winning the competition for the first time. Real Madrid, the holders and 14-time winners of the trophy, had no answer to City’s dizzying combination of movement, speed, strength and cutting edge. City made a blistering start and maintained the intensity throughout. Silva put them into a thoroughly deserved lead after 23 minutes and added a second before the interval. An Eder Militao own goal and late Julian Alvarez strike made the scoreline 5-1 on aggregate and truly reflective of their superiority. Victory could have been even more emphatic with Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois making three fine saves to deny Erling Haaland. City’s display ensured sweet revenge for their loss to the same opponents in the semi-finals last year. “I’m very happy because the performance was amazing,” Silva said. “From minute one, the pressure that we put on Real Madrid’s defence – we pushed them back and we created lots of chances. “And with our people – the energy – we felt the momentum that we created. It helped a lot. “The second half started in a weird way where they put us under a bit of pressure but I think the team was very resilient, very organised, and the difference from this year to last year was the chances – we created most of them. We took them and we scored the goals.” The Champions League final could be the crowning moment of a glorious treble for Pep Guardiola’s City this season. They will claim the first of the three trophies they are chasing if they beat Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday. Silva said: “Yes, with our people again. Hopefully we can give them another happy day and give them the special moment of winning five (Premier Leagues) in six years, which is not easy in this country. “We’re going to rest, sleep well, eat well and prepare well to be at our best and give that happiness to them because they deserve it.” Read More Rumours: Man Utd ‘agree terms’ with Napoli defender, PSG target Silva Man City reach perfection with Real Madrid humiliation that raises complex questions Man City crush holders to book Champions League final return Bernardo Silva’s unique talents lead Man City’s evisceration of Real Madrid Man City vs Real Madrid LIVE: Result and reaction as City make Champions League final Can Pep get the better of Carlo? – 5 talking points ahead of City’s semi-final

Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny has named seven uncapped players in a 22-man squad for a training camp in Bristol ahead of next month’s Euro 2024 qualifiers with Greece and Gibraltar. Bristol City goalkeeper Max O’Leary, Hull defender Sean McLoughlin, Millwall full-back Danny McNamara and Everton striker Tom Cannon, who spent the season on loan at Preston, are among those called up by Kenny. Goalkeepers James Talbot and Brian Maher, from Bohemians and Derry City respectively, and Shamrock Rovers winger Neil Farrugia have also been included. Ireland take on Greece on Friday, June 16 in Athens before hosting Gibraltar three days later at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, having begun their qualifying campaign with a 1-0 defeat against France in March. Selected players, who compete either in the EFL or the League of Ireland, will gather at Bristol City’s training ground next week. Ireland internationals involved at Premier League clubs will be absent as the top-flight season does not finish until May 28, in addition to Dundee United’s Jamie McGrath and overseas-based players Mikey Johnston (Vitoria de Guimaraes) and Matt Doherty (Atletico Madrid). Middlesbrough defender Darragh Lenihan and Peterborough midfielder Jack Taylor will not be involved in the camp because of their clubs’ participation in the EFL play-offs. Newcastle’s Jeff Hendrick and Preston’s Alan Browne miss out due to injuries but are expected to be in contention for the qualifiers. Rotherham winger Chiedozie Ogbene will report to continue his recovery from a hamstring problem, while Andrew Omobamidele, Callum Robinson and Seamus Coleman are sidelined. “The six-week break between the end of the Championship and our qualifier in Greece is something we have to navigate and make sure our preparations are planned well,” Kenny told the Football Association of Ireland. “This training camp in Bristol for four days is essential before we travel to Turkey on June 5 for nine days ahead of our visit to Athens and we’re looking forward to a good four days training and some sharp sessions.” Squad: Max O’Leary (Bristol City), James Talbot (Bohemians), Brian Maher (Derry City); Danny McNamara (Millwall), Callum O’Dowda (Cardiff), James McClean (Wigan), Ryan Manning (Swansea), John Egan (Sheffield United), Dara O’Shea (West Brom), Sean McLaughlin (Hull); Jayson Molumby (West Brom), Josh Cullen (Burnley), Will Smallbone (Southampton), Mark Sykes (Bristol City), Neil Farrugia (Shamrock Rovers), Jason Knight (Derby); Chiedozie Ogbene (Rotherham), Tom Cannon (Everton), Troy Parrott (Tottenham), Michael Obafemi (Burnley), Adam Idah (Norwich), Will Keane (Wigan). Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Frost delays start of US PGA Championship Man Utd rise has helped make WSL the best in the world – Man City’s Laura Coombs On this day 2016 – Liverpool lose to Sevilla in Europa League final

Manchester City delivered a masterpiece nearly seven years in the making in a destruction of Real Madrid that marked the high point in Pep Guardiola's reign at the English club

An 84-year-old climber attempting to become the oldest person to summit all the world’s highest peaks has been rescued from a mountain in Nepal where he was injured

Manchester City moved within three wins of the treble by thrashing Real Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final. Pep Guardiola’s side need one victory from their three remaining Premier League fixtures to secure the title, while they can also win the FA Cup and Champions League by beating Manchester United and Inter Milan respectively. City are seeking to emulate their local rivals United who achieved glory on the same three fronts under Sir Alex Ferguson in 1998-99. Here we compare the two sides. Premier League There are several parallels between this season’s title race and 1998-99. Neither City or United topped the table for a prolonged period until the second half of the campaign and both trailed Arsenal at various points during the run-in. Mikel Arteta’s Gunners were eight points clear of Guardiola’s side with nine games to go at the beginning of April, while Arsenal were three points ahead of Ferguson’s men with two matches remaining in 1999 – although both City and United had a game in hand. Just as United edged out Arsene Wenger’s team with a 20-match unbeaten run, City have gone 14 Premier League games without defeat to move within touching distance of claiming a fifth title in six years. Statistically, Guardiola’s treble-chasers have had the better season. They have amassed 85 points and scored 92 goals with three fixtures still to play, while United ended the campaign with 79 points and 80 goals scored. Dwight Yorke top-scored for Ferguson’s side with 18 goals, which is half as many as Erling Haaland has managed for City (36). That said, Andy Cole (17) and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (12) also reached double figures for United, while only Phil Foden (10) has done so for City. Defensively, Guardiola’s men have conceded 31 goals so far – the joint-fewest in the league alongside Newcastle. United shipped 37 goals in 1998-99, which was more than Arsenal (17), Chelsea (30) and Leeds (34). Champions League City topped their group ahead of Borussia Dortmund, Sevilla and Copenhagen, while United finished second behind Bayern Munich but ahead of Barcelona and Brondby. Guardiola’s side have since gone on to beat RB Leipzig, Bayern and Real Madrid over two legs, thanks mainly to crushing home wins in each tie. Ferguson’s men had fewer rounds to negotiate in 1999 – when the Champions League was contested by 24 teams rather than 32 – but they still had to get past Inter Milan and Juventus across two legs before facing Bayern in the final. United’s European campaign was considerably bumpier than City’s, who have scored 31 goals and conceded only five on their path to the final. The Red Devils – by contrast – lifted the trophy having scored 29 and conceded 16. While City are yet to concede more than once in a Champions League game this season, United were involved in several high-scoring thrillers including a pair of 3-3 draws against Barcelona in the group stage and a dramatic 3-2 comeback win against Juventus in the semi-final second leg. FA Cup As with the Champions League, City’s route to the final has been largely serene while United’s 1998-99 campaign was filled with trials and tribulations. Guardiola’s team have cruised past Chelsea, Arsenal, Bristol City, Burnley and Sheffield United without conceding a goal, becoming the first side to reach the final with a perfect defensive record since Everton in 1965-66. Meanwhile, as well as coming back from a goal down against Middlesbrough and Liverpool in rounds three and four, United needed replays to see off Chelsea in the quarter-finals and Arsenal in the semis. The latter victory was especially dramatic, with Peter Schmeichel saving a Dennis Bergkamp penalty to keep the game at 1-1 and Ryan Giggs scoring a wonder goal in extra time. Read More On this day 2016 – Liverpool lose to Sevilla in Europa League final Man City crush holders to book Champions League final return We had to swallow poison – Pep Guardiola delighted to get revenge on Real Madrid Why is BT Sport being rebranded to TNT Sports? West Ham boss David Moyes looking to conquer AZ Alkmaar again Eric Cantona to Joey Barton – the Premier League’s longest bans

Manchester City midfielder Laura Coombs sees the rise of Manchester United as a major force in the Women’s Super League as something to be welcomed. After being relaunched in 2018, winning the Championship and then coming fourth in the WSL for three successive years, United this term have had their best top-flight campaign to date. Marc Skinner’s side had been top of the table and are close to securing Women’s Champions League qualification for the first time. City, who United face in Sunday evening’s derby at Leigh Sports Village, are in danger of missing out on Europe. But on the topic of United’s rise, Coombs told the PA news agency: “I think every player prefers the league more competitive. “I think it now puts our league as probably the best in the world, because it’s the most competitive. So the more teams that can rise up, the better in my opinion.” With two rounds of games to go, United are second in the table, two points behind Chelsea. Arsenal, Chelsea’s opponents at Kingsmeadow on Sunday, are three points further back in third, with fourth-placed City another two points behind in the battle for the three Champions League berths. Asked about the fact that if Chelsea win, City could then end their derby rivals’ title push, Coombs said: “We want to beat United. If that result then stops them, I wouldn’t say that’s why exactly. The more teams that can rise up, the better in my opinion. Laura Coombs “We just want to go in and get the result to give us every chance to get top-three, that’s really our main motivation.” City are looking to avoid what would be a first finish outside the European places since 2014, their inaugural WSL campaign. Yet to be beaten by United in six WSL meetings, winning three of those, City take them on a week after Skinner’s side lost 1-0 to Chelsea in their debut Women’s FA Cup final appearance. Coombs – scorer of an equaliser in December’s 1-1 Manchester derby draw at the Etihad Stadium, a moment she describes as a “highlight of my career” – has no doubt United will “come all guns blazing”. And the 32-year-old added: “Like us, they lost their last game so they want to put that right straight away. They always give us a good game, and I think every year the games between us are getting more and more competitive. It’s really exciting to be a part of.” After a notable turnover of players last summer, City started their WSL campaign with back-to-back losses before going unbeaten across the next 14 games, winning 12. That momentum has slowed with two defeats in the last four for Gareth Taylor’s side, 2-1 at Arsenal and then Liverpool last time out. Coombs, whose season has included signing a new deal with the club running to 2025 as well as returning to the England squad, said: “I think it has been a bit of a rebuilding year. “We bounced back pretty quickly after the first two games of the season and we’ve got ourselves in a place now where we’re a solid group, and there won’t be a big turnover at the end of the year. “So I think going into next year that puts us in a really strong position. We have had large periods of the year where we’ve played some really great stuff and we’ve got back to a competitive place in the league. So I think if we look at it as a building year, it makes next year really exciting for us.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live On this day 2016 – Liverpool lose to Sevilla in Europa League final Man City crush holders to book Champions League final return Recent history not on Rory McIlroy’s side as he aims to win US PGA Championship

Rio Ferdinand has been playing into his ongoing 'rivalry' with Jamie Carragher, after snubbing him when they ran into each other at Manchester City and Real Madrid's second game. It comes after Carragher labelled the former centre-back a 'clown' last week for disagreeing on a penalty decision. As Ferdinand greeted the other pundits, he took one look at Carragher and walked straight past, capturing the entire thing on camera, sending his rival bright red. 'Why the red face??', he later joked alongside the clip on social media. Click here to sign up for our newsletters

Coventry City manager Mark Robins believes the Championship play-off final is ‘one for the romantics’ after his side set up a Wembley meeting with Luton Town. Robins’ team edged out Middlesbrough in a tight semi-final to put themselves just one game away from a return to the Premier League. The Midlands club were last in the English top flight in 2001, while Luton have never featured in the Premier League. And as recently as 2018, the two clubs were languishing in League Two, but now have the chance to earn promotion to the top of the English footballing pyramid. “People talk about journeys, where we’ve come from,” Robins told BBC CWR. “It’s one for the romantics. “Luton have come from the National League. I remember it well; Mick Harford in charge, 30-point deductions, it’s been a tough road for them but it’s been a tough road for us and we’ve got our own tales of woe from over a number of years. “Hopefully we can build into a game and have a really good go at getting back into the Premier League. We’re one game away, they’re one game away. To be part of that game is fantastic.” A single goal from Gustavo Hamer was all that separated Coventry and Middlesbrough across two legs, with the Brazilian-born playmaker firing home impressively to secure his side’s place in the promotion decider. Robins returned for a second stint as manager in 2017 and has steadied the club through a number of challenging seasons, leading them to two promotions to return to the Championship. The 53-year-old has been rewarded with a new, extended contract and praised the clubs “special fans” for their support. ““It’s a special club and it’s special because it’s been through so much,” Robins said. “We’re playing Luton who have been through a fair amount themselves, but this is a special club with special fans and the fact they’ve got behind us so much is testament to everything we do. “They’re really good, they’re behind the players, and the biggest achievement I think we’ve managed to do is reconnect with the fans - because there was a huge disconnect with the club. “They’ve come back together, and it’s been phenomenal. It’s changed beyond all recognition since I walked through the door in 2017 and hopefully we can take the next step.” Coventry and Luton meet on Saturday 27 May at Wembley to determine who earns promotion to the Premier League. Read More Coventry City aiming to come full circle after journey to hell and back A tiny ground and a squad costing less than a Man City sub. How are Luton one game from the Premier League? Real Madrid at critical juncture after impotent and powerless Champions League exit Coventry to face Luton in Championship play-off final as Hamer sinks Middlesbrough Coventry and Middlesbrough fail to land blow in Championship play-off semi-final Kitman Chris Marsh overcomes illness to help support Coventry’s promotion push

Mexico's largest airline has offered to fly Olympic divers Alejandra Orozco and Gabriela Agúndez to this year's world championships for free after government funding cuts forced them to try to find ways to pay their own passage.

Formula One drivers Nyck de Vries and Yuki Tsunoda have shared stories of how the deadly flooding in northern Italy has affected them after this week’s Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix was called off

Manchester City produced a sensational performance to defeat Real Madrid 4-0 at the Etihad and reach the Champions League final. Bernardo Silva scored twice as Pep Guardiola’s side blew the holders away in a breathtaking opening half. Eder Militao’s own goal late on ensured there would be no comeback this time from Real Madrid, before Julian Alvarez added a fourth in stoppage time. Here are how the players rated as City booked a final date with Inter Milan on June 10. Manchester City Ederson, 9 The goalkeeper had been a spectator until Toni Kroos hit a stunning drive from distance that Ederson managed to tip onto the bar. It was a crucial touch - and Bernardo doubled City’s lead moments later. Ederson’s save from David Alaba’s free kick in the second half was just as good. Kyle Walker, 9 The best defensive full-back in the world? On this evidence, absolutely. The right back was sensational against the wonderful Vinicius Junior, particularly with a key piece of tracking back in the first half. Ruben Dias, 9 Has Karim Benzema ever had a quieter game in the Champions League? Dias dominated the Real Madrid striker and clearly won their battle. Manuel Akanji, 9 Erling Haaland aside, he has a case to be the signing of the season. Just so solid defensively and comfortable on the ball. A superb individual defender and Rodrygo was anonymous. John Stones, 8 It’s just so audacious, really, for a centre back to step into a midfield of Luka Modric and Toni Kroos and not just hold your own but be a level above. Stones was magnificent. Rodri, 8 Just so good at making lots of very complicated passes and runs through midfield look so effortlessly simple. Seemed to have the most touches in the game, especially during City’s early dominance. Bernardo Silva, 9 Everywhere and excellent all at once. One of the performances of the season with and without the ball, terrorising the poor Edouardo Camavinga and never allowing Madrid a moment to settle. Two goals as well? An incredible player. Kevin De Bruyne, 9 Picked out a stunning pass for Bernardo’s opener and was as dangerous as you would expect from pretty much every position and angle on the pitch. His vision is out of this world and he produced a second assist of the night with his free-kick that went in off Militao. Ilkay Gundogan, 8 His awareness, particularly when close to his own goal, is wonderful. Cruised through a lot of the game. Booked for a lunge on Vinicius. Jack Grealish, 7 The winger gave Davi Carvajal a torrid time and his work rate was excellent once again. His delivery was perhaps not as dangerous as it could have been. Erling Haaland, 7 Should have had the opener but was denied by the brilliant Courtois - twice, and then for a third time in the second half! Haaland was ultimately denied even if he repeatedly troubled Eder Militao before then. Manchester City were still superior. Substitutes Riyad Mahrez: Added fresh legs with the tie beyond Madrid. 6 Phil Foden: Like Mahrez, brought on to cause similar discomfort and provided the assist for City’s fourth. 6 Julian Alvarez: A late run around quickly turned into a fine, low finish to make it 4-0. 6 Real Madrid Thibaut Courtois, 9 Produced a stunning save to deny Halaand’s header from close range - and then came up with an even better one to again stop Haaland’s header. One of the best saves you’ll see. Dani Carvajal, 4 The right back looked terrified of Grealish and dealt with him by backing off. Eder Militao, 4 Looked to match Antonio Rudiger’s intensity and aggression in his duel against Haaland, but struggled to get the balance right. Often left gaps in behind. David Alaba, 5 The versatile defender had to make a couple of last-ditch headers at the back post but the problems stemmed from in front of him. Forced an excellent save out of Ederson with a dipping free-kick. Eduardo Camavinga, 4 Involved in an intense battle with Bernardo that he would probably rather forget. City targeted his side. Federico Valverde, 3 Completely anonymous in the first half and barely had a touch. Toni Kroos, 4 The midfielder had Madrid’s first shot and he was unlucky with what was a brilliant effort from range. Struggled with the movement around him in midfield. Luka Modric, 4 A difficult night for the peerless Modric - who like Kross was overwhelmed by City’s pace and passing. The fact he was taken off after an hour was telling. Rodrygo, 3 Another Madrid no-show. The hero from last year’s semi-final was barely involved, but he was not the only one. Karim Benzema, 2 No chances, no threat, no comeback from Madrid’s talisman - the difference from last season is quite remarkable. Vinicius Junior, 4 The dangerous winger spent too long being forced back towards his box in the first half and then couldn’t break free from the excellent Walker when he was afforded space. Substitutes Antonio Rudiger: Surprisingly dropped to the bench, the damage had been done when he came on. 6 Marco Asensio: Did little of note. 5 Aurelien Tchouameni Fresh legs in midfield as Carlo Ancelotti looked to stymie City. 5 Lucas Vazquez: In for booked Carvajal against slippery Grealish. 5 Dani Ceballos: Part of triple change aimed at damage limitation. 5 Read More Man City reach perfection with Real Madrid humiliation that raises complicated questions Bernardo Silva’s unique talents lead Man City’s evisceration of Real Madrid Man City’s greatest Champions League night, Real Madrid need Jude Bellingham and five things we learned Real Madrid at critical juncture after impotent Champions League exit Man City reach perfection with Real Madrid humiliation that raises complex questions We had to swallow poison – Pep Guardiola delighted to get revenge on Real Madrid