Undermanned side upsets finals-bound ACT Brumbies 21-19
Players come together to mark victory and club’s expected demise
An undermanned Moana Pasifika have capped off their potential final match with a stirring victory, upsetting the finals-bound ACT Brumbies 21-19.
But there were mixed feelings as players celebrated a rare win before coming together with staff to mark the occasion of the club’s farewell game and expected demise with an emotionally charged hymn.
Continue reading...We picked Liverpool as champions, Chelsea as challengers and tipped Brentford and Sunderland to go down. Oh dear
What we predicted: Mikel Arteta vowed this would be a “big summer” after finishing as runners-up in the Premier League for a third season in succession and the new sporting director, Andrea Berta, has delivered on a number of signings in his first transfer window. The question now for Arsenal supporters is whether Martín Zubimendi, Christian Nørgaard, Noni Madueke, Viktor Gyökeres, Cristhian Mosquera and Kepa Arrizabalaga can help them take that elusive final step to becoming champions for the first time since the Invincibles in 2004.
Continue reading...The Premier League season is over, but what did Guardian football writers enjoy, dislike or marvel at over the last nine months?
Goalkeepers never usually get a mention for this award but David Raya played an integral role in Arsenal finally getting over the line, winning the Premier League’s Golden Glove award for a third year in a row thanks to 19 clean sheets. Declan Rice and Bruno Fernandes were the outstanding outfield players. Ed Aarons
Continue reading...Team sit 13th in MLS’s West Conference
Neville thanks club and fans after departure
Phil Neville is no longer in charge of the Portland Timbers after they announced they had “mutually parted ways” with their head coach.
“In my nearly two decades of owning and operating the Portland Timbers, there are very few people I have enjoyed working with more than Phil Neville,” said Timbers owner Merritt Paulson. “Phil has outstanding leadership qualities and a boundless sense of positivity even in the face of adversity. I cannot thank Phil enough for his tireless dedication to this club and the Portland community, which he and his family truly embraced.”
Continue reading...Our fans’ network reviews the season with one game to play: the highs, the lows and what they need in the summer
In this age of the managerial revolving door, I’m enormously proud that the Premier League champions (man, does that sound sweet!) stand as the antithesis to that. Admittedly, “trusting the process” aged a lot of us massively, but the agony of the past three campaigns evaporated with the final whistle at the Vitality. Sure, it would’ve been great to have enjoyed the sort of free-flowing football that the Cherries produced, but you won’t find a Gooner anywhere who gives a monkey’s how Mikel got us over the line. 19 great clean sheets. In the words of Fergie, attack wins games, but defence wins titles. Season rating: 10/10
Bernard Azulay onlinegooner.com; @GoonerN5
Jonathan Pritchard
Continue reading...The final day of the season pitches West Ham and Tottenham in a battle for survival with Spurs being safe if they secure a point against Everton
Sunday 4pm Sky Sports Tennis Venue Amex Stadium
Continue reading...Arsenal’s party heading south, fights for Europe – and survival – and Londoners cheering on West Ham
Last week’s costly defeat to Leeds means Brighton must overcome Manchester United on the final day to ensure they secure a place in Europe for the second time in their history. The good news is that Michael Carrick’s side have nothing to play for and United have a wretched record at the Amex, losing in three of their past four visits in the Premier League including a 4-0 drubbing back in 2022. Danny Welbeck could be key against his former club having enjoyed his most prolific season with 13 league goals. The veteran striker still has a chance of finishing as the highest scoring English player in the division if he can find the net on Sunday, with World Cup rival Ollie Watkins leading the way on 14 as it stands. Ed Aarons
Brighton v Manchester United (all games Sunday 4pm BST)
Burnley v Wolves
Crystal Palace v Arsenal
Fulham v Newcastle
Liverpool v Brentford
Continue reading...Golfer makes appearance on Katie Miller’s podcast
Two-time major champion questions Nasa narrative
As someone who has made much of his devotion to science, Bryson DeChambeau isn’t foolish enough to fall for any old conspiracy theory. But he does believe the moon landings may not have been all they seemed. And that interdimensional beings may be visiting Earth.
The two-time major champion appeared this week on a podcast hosted by Katie Miller, the wife of White House senior adviser Stephen Miller. During the interview DeChambeau spoke about conspiracy theories, golf and his friendship with Donald Trump.
Continue reading...Masters champion points out fan to security
McIlroy has had prob;em with American crowds before
Rory McIlroy clashed with a fan on Sunday in the final round of the US PGA as chanting from the gallery once again drew his ire.
McIlroy was among the challengers on the final day but found heavy rough on the 16th as his bid for victory petered out. His next shot rebounded into a bunker, although he would go on to par the hole.
Continue reading...Bafflement at Old Trafford, Chelsea’s Wembley drought goes on and Leeds give fans cause for optimism
Luke Shaw’s first goal in over three years for Manchester United was a further reminder of the left-back’s capabilities. This has been his best season at Old Trafford having featured in all 37 league games thus far, leaving his injury-prone past forgotten. Considering Shaw’s experience and quality, he should be considered for a spot at the World Cup. Thomas Tuchel does not have a vast array of riches in the position and Shaw’s consistency has been key to Michael Carrick’s turnaround at Old Trafford. “He deserves to go,” said Carrick after the win against Nottingham Forest. “His consistency, his performances, his experience, his qualities. He’s an excellent full-back.” Nico O’Reilly is the current first choice for England and he has a very different profile from Shaw, having converted from playing as a central midfielder under Pep Guardiola. Tuchel may want to take Shaw to provide variety and reliability, which would be a sensible approach. Will Unwin
Match report: Manchester United 3-2 Nottingham Forest
Match report: Newcastle 3-1 West Ham
Match report: Aston Villa 4-2 Liverpool
Continue reading...Centre won 65 caps, with 51 alongside his brother Gavin
Also selected for two British and Irish Lions tours
Scotland’s 1990 grand slam-winning centre Scott Hastings has died at the age of 61, his family have announced, four years after he revealed he had been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Hastings won 65 caps for his country and played in two Tests on the victorious 1989 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia, as well as being in the squad that toured New Zealand in 1993. He made his international debut in January 1986 against France, alongside his elder brother, Gavin, the first of 51 Scotland games the centre and full-back pair played together.
Continue reading...Manchester City face Chelsea for the trophy at Wembley while leaders Arsenal host Burnley on Monday night
FA Cup final (stats from all competitions)
Continue reading...Guardiola can claim 17th City trophy, Arteta weighs up another Arsenal reshuffle and Brentford’s European dreams could edge closer
A measure of Pep Guardiola’s greatness is to be found in Saturday’s FA Cup final being a 24th visit to Wembley leading Manchester City. As this born winner could depart in the close season, the meeting with Chelsea may be a third-last outing in charge, in which he seeks the opposite result to the 2021 Champions League final. Yet Chelsea are now in a state of flux – Calum McFarlane is in a second caretaker spell of the season, following Liam Rosenior’s sacking last month, having also filled in when Enzo Maresca walked out on 1 January. This points to a City triumph and the 17th major trophy of Guardiola’s reign. But this is football, so who knows? Jamie Jackson
FA Cup final: Chelsea v Manchester City, Saturday 3pm (all times BST)
Aston Villa v Liverpool, Friday 8pm
Manchester United v Nottingham Forest, Sunday 12.30pm
Brentford v Crystal Palace, Sunday 3pm
Everton v Sunderland, Sunday 3pm
Wolves v Fulham, Sunday 3pm
Continue reading...Decorated coach to remain with club in advisory role after 2027
Penrith assistant Peter Wallace to take over in job in 18 months
Ivan Cleary has 18 months remaining in his current role at the Penrith Panthers before the four-time premiership-winning NRL coach steps aside and his assistant Peter Wallace takes over.
The 55-year-old announced on Wednesday he would not renew his contract when it expires at the end of next season, but will remain in Penrith in an advisory role beyond 2027.
Continue reading...BBC to bring back classic gameshow after 24 years away
Former world champion to host with Paddy McGuinness
The BBC is re-racking the balls and chalking the cues again after announcing that classic TV gameshow Big Break will return after 24 years away.
Seven-time snooker world champion Stephen Hendry is to co-host the series alongside presenter and comic Paddy McGuinness in a reboot of a show that originally ran for 10 series from 1991 to 2002.
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