Latest in Sporting News
Posted by Rob Shepherd on Wednesday, May 31, 2017
United sneak into the Champions League via the Europa Cup but Arsenal miss out on playing in Europe’s premier competition. Bank holiday Monday saw the richest football game in world football take place with Huddersfield ending a 45-year exile from the top tier of English football. These are just some of the stories we feature in this edition of sporting news.
#WENGERIN
After what seems like years of speculation and protests, Arsene Wenger is set to sign a new two-year deal to stay at Arsenal. Wenger has spent 21 years at Arsenal, spent over £700 million and has masterminded 16 trophy wins including this year’s FA Cup.
However, many Arsenal fans feel it is time to for Arsene to move on and they will be dismayed that their voices have not been listened to. The lack of Premier League titles in recent years has turned many Gooners against the manager.
This is at a time when tensions are being felt at shareholder level with the two money men, Stan Kroenke and Alisher Usmanov at loggerheads after Kroenke refusal to sell Usmanov his shares.
Arsenal’s failure to hit the top 4 for the first time in 20 years means they will be playing in Europe’s 2nd tier competition next year.
6th Place but Champions League for United
Much to the dismay of Liverpool fans on social media, United sneaked through the backdoor to clinch a place in the Champions League. On a poignant night in Stokholm, Manchester United dedicated their 2-0 win over Ajax to the victims of the Manchester Arena bombing.
Rivals, City, showed pure class by tweeting #ACityUnited at the final whistle.
The road to United winning this trophy has been a long one. 15 matches in this competition alone and has taken in far flung countries like Russia and Turkey but at the final whistle Mourinho’s reaction wasn’t one of someone who this tournament meant nothing to, he was delighted!
In iconic pictures, he is stood on his own, arms outstretched, before the United fans and went up first to kiss the trophy.
Champions League footy will be held at Old Trafford next year so expect some world record transfer bids from United as they try to attract the world’s best to Manchester.
Huddersfield Town Gain Promotion
In my preview of the game I had predicted a 2-1 win for Reading so of course it ended 0-0! The game went into extra time and finally penalty kicks which Huddersfield won 4-3.
The victory will be worth at least £170 million to the club but it’s also believed that the local economy will also benefit to the tune of £50-£60 million.
Huddersfield’s German manager David Wagner was a surprise choice to replace the sacked Chris Powell back in November 2015. He is best friends with Jurgen Klopp and worked with him at Borussia Dortmund so it was widely expected that he would join up with Klopp at Liverpool. Wagner however felt it was time to step up and what an impact he made!
When Wagner took over the Yorkshire team they were out of the relegation zone only on goals scored so it was an amazing feat to turn the club round to gain promotion.
Rugby Review
Lions watch
One of the worst things about flying anywhere is the fear of going over the weight on your baggage allowance! With this in mind, I wonder what the excess that the Lions had to pay was? The Lions departed with;
• 20 tonnes of luggage and equipment
• 150 balls
• 2,250 rolls of medical tape
• 500 jerseys – two per player per game
I doubt the players will have to pay for it out of their own pockets but still..
England XV 24 Barbarians 14
Tom Curry the 18-year-old openside flanker produced a man-of-the-match performance belying his age and experience as England won Mutual Wealth Cup comfortably albeit hardly touching the ball in the first 18 minutes as the Baa-Baas raced out of traps.
35 players were unavailable to Eddie Jones because of club duty, Lions selection or injury but there were fine performances all around from England’s New caps and youngsters, the future is bright. Aviva Premiership Play-off Final
Wasps 20-23 Exeter Chiefs (AET) In front of 79657 fans these deserving finalists produced an absolute classic. This nail biting game had everything with everyone one on the pitch giving their all.
Exeter enjoyed early possession and the lead only for the Wasps to come buzzing back and on 53 minutes they were 20-14 to the good. Gareth Steenson then slotted over a penalty on 63 minutes and another on 79 minutes after an immense 34-phase move to take game into Extra Time, the first time in the history of the Final.
This epic contest was settled in the 97th minute and will live long in the memories of all rugby fans even more so for Chiefs fans who have watched their team rise from playing in the local Devon League in 1997 to promotion to the English Premiership in 2010 and now champions.
The Chiefs have now equalled the record of 17 unbeaten premiership matches set by the Tigers between 1999 and 2000, who will bet against these country bumpkins becoming the history boys and setting an outright record.
Pro12 Play-off Final
Munster 22 Scarlets 46. The Scarlets produced a breath-taking performance to propel them to glory winning the Guinness PRO12 in style, scoring 6 tries to the favourites 3. The Welsh side produced a blistering attacking display and were leading 29-3 with Munster having conceded four tries, one more than any other game this season, after just 30 minutes.
44,558 supporters were inside Aviva Stadium in Dublin, an record for the final, to watch this enthralling match with many hoping for a triumphant fightback but Munster’s two late tries were too little too late to stop the underdogs lifting the trophy.
Football Gossip
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is said to be interested in AC Milan’s Colombia striker Carlos Bacca, Leicester’s Algeria winger Riyad Mahrez, 26, and Monaco’s French midfielder Thomas Lemar. Riyad Mahrez has publicly declared his desire to leave Leicester and his departure would be a big blow for the Foxes.
If Liverpool can stump up £50 million it could see them signing highly rated defender Virgil van Dijk from Southampton. Champions League football could be the carrot that sees him leave Southampton.
30-year-old midfielder Blaise Matuidi has said he “does not know” if he will be at the club next season. Matuidi is a reported target for Manchester United.
Manchester City fullback Gael Clichy could join Liverpool on a free contract. Liverpool will offer a huge salary to entice the player to Anfield.
Massimo Cellino has cemented his position as the grim reaper of football by sacking Steve Evans at Leeds United. Cellino gets through managers like I get through Xbox controller batteries! 43 managers have been fired by Cellino. Former Middlesbrough boss, Aitor Karanka is favourite to take over (for a couple of weeks at least!).
Marseille target, 27-year-old winger Moussa Sissoko, has begged his current club Tottenham not to block a move away this summer.
Paul Lambert is one of the favourite to take over at relegated Hull City. Nigel Adkins remains the clear bookies’ favourite, followed closely by David Moyes.