Wednesday, May 20Wednesday, May 20Southampton’s Dramatic Playoff Victory Over Middlesbrough
Southampton secured a place in the Championship playoff final against Hull City after a tense 2-1 extra-time victory over Middlesbrough in the second leg of their semi-final, following a 0-0 draw in the first leg. The match stretched over 130 minutes, with Southampton’s Shea Charles scoring the decisive goal in the 116th minute. Charles, who has a history of clutch performances—including a 96th-minute winner against Leicester in February and an FA Cup quarter-final goal against Arsenal—delivered again, curling a left-footed shot that deflected off Middlesbrough defender Dael Fry and into the net. The goal, initially intended as a cross, sent Southampton to Wembley .
Spying Allegations and Fallout The buildup to the match was overshadowed by spying allegations leveled by Middlesbrough against Southampton. An individual was allegedly found near Middlesbrough’s training ground before the first leg, prompting the English Football League (EFL) to charge Southampton with misconduct. Southampton launched an internal investigation, and the EFL is set to convene a hearing "at the earliest opportunity." Middlesbrough have suggested that if Southampton are found guilty of cheating, they will demand adequate punishment, potentially complicating Southampton’s playoff preparations. Middlesbrough’s Luke Ayling, who experienced a similar scandal during his time at Leeds under Marcelo Bielsa, declined to comment, stating the players were unaware of such tactics .
Team Changes and Tactical Notes Southampton made three changes for the second leg, introducing Kuryu Matsuki, Shea Charles, and Ross Stewart into the starting lineup. The match was described as a "grudge match" due to the spying controversy, with tensions running high throughout the game . The outcome leaves Southampton facing Hull City in the final, though the unresolved disciplinary issues could cast a shadow over their preparations.
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corriere · 8 days ago
Southampton in playoff final after freak winner settles Middlesbrough grudge match Southampton advanced to the playoff final against Hull City, though it seems unlikely it will be quite that straightforward from here owing to the alleged foul play that dominated the buildup to a fraught second leg that went the distance, more than 130 minutes in total. If found guilty of cheating, Middlesbrough will demand Southampton are adequately punished. Is there even a world where Kim Hellbergs train for the next couple of weeks in the event of the unprecedented?Just what is it about Shea Charles and big moments, his latest coming in the 116th minute to send Tonda Eckerts side to Wembley? It was the midfielder who scored the winning goal to send Arsenal packing in the FA Cup quarter-finals, his 96th-minute winner that clinched the 4-3 comeback victory against Leicester in February and now this. Charles was out on the right flank, the game edging towards a penalty shootout, when he sent the ball in with his left foot – it was surely a cross – and the ball sailed past the Boro defender Dael Fry and in at the back post. Continue reading...
theguardian · 8 days ago
Southampton 2-1 Middlesbrough AET: Saints book place in playoff final – live reaction ⚽️ Championship playoffs, 8pm BST kick-off (first leg: 0-0)⚽️ Saints launch review into spying allegations | Mail LukeIts THREE changes for Southampton. Kuryu Matsuki, Shea Charles and Ross Stewart come into the side.After the first leg, Luke Ayling of Middlesbrough was asked about the spy scandal. He was at Leeds when similar occurred under Marcelo Bielsa. He said he was pleading the fifth. Then, he said the players know nothing about that sort of thing. Continue reading...
theguardian · 8 days ago
Howard Webb praises VAR process in ruling out West Ham equaliser against Arsenal Wilson goal chalked off for Pablos foul on RayaWebb: On the video, its clear and its obviousHoward Webb has commended the process that led to West Hams equaliser against Arsenal on Sunday being overturned, describing Pablos foul on the goalkeeper David Raya as clear and obvious.In what has been described as the most consequential decision in VAR history, the referee Chris Kavanagh chose to rule out Callum Wilsons late goal at the London Stadium, handing Arsenal an advantage in the title race. While Webb, the chief officer of Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO), did not blame the official for missing the initial incident he argued it was inevitable that VAR would have to get involved. Continue reading...
theguardian · 8 days ago
Ruby Tui: Im going for France – the game needs someone to stop England New Zealand back turned TV presenter believes France can end the Red Roses 37-game winning streak in Bordeaux Thousands will descend on Bordeauxs Stade Atlantique on Sunday to watch the Womens Six Nations grand slam decider between France and England, among them the New Zealand legend Ruby Tui. The World Cup winner and Olympic gold medallist, who has been working for the BBC as a pundit, says she would love to see the French come out on top in Le Crunch to end Englands seven-year trophy hold.Tui attended her first Six Nations match in round one of this years competition at Twickenham, as England took on Ireland. The match felt like an extension of the World Cup party for the 34-year‑old, who witnessed last years groundbreaking event through her media duties. The Red Roses will want to deliver the same outcome as that final last September and if they did so they would extend their Six Nations winning run to 39 games in a row and become the first team to win the tournament after claiming the World Cup. But Tui is backing the women in blue. Continue reading...
theguardian · 8 days ago
McInnes stands firm in belief Hearts can end Celtic dominance with historic title Defeat for the champions at Motherwell and a win for the leaders at home to Falkirk will crown them champions for the first time since 1960It is a sign of shifting attitudes that the fact Hearts could claim the Scottish Premiership title on Wednesday was somewhat lost in analysis of the weekends events. Given Celtics form such a scenario is an unlikely one, but that it exists at all is remarkable: a Hearts win at home to Falkirk, coupled with defeat for Celtic at Motherwell, means the Edinburgh club will become champions for the first time since 1960.Its nice to be able to hear Hearts could win the league at Tynecastle, says the manager, Derek McInnes. I dont know how many people have been able to say that in their lifetime. The likelihood is we are going to have to win two games or certainly pick up four points. In a quirk of history, both of Hearts title triumphs in the 20th century were secured at St Mirrens former Love Street ground. Continue reading...
theguardian · 8 days ago
Southampton v Middlesbrough: Championship playoff semi-final, second leg – live ⚽️ Championship playoffs, 8pm BST kick-off (first leg: 0-0)⚽️ Saints launch review into spying allegations | Mail LukeWhat a week its been in the world of association football. Fisticuffs at Real Madrid and a seismic VAR decision involving Premier League-chasing Arsenal and relegation-threatened West Ham feature in the highlights (or lowlights). But juiciest of all? The spying allegations levelled at Southampton by Middlesbrough before their Championship playoff first leg last week.Southampton were charged with misconduct last Friday, after an individual was allegedly discovered creeping around in the bushes at Boros training ground, and this morning Southampton confirmed that an internal investigation has been launched. The English Football League intend to convene a hearing at the earliest opportunity, but clearly it is a situation that could get extremely messy, depending on the result tonight. Continue reading...
theguardian · 8 days ago
Sobal TG4, Ros na Rún, ag leanúint sna sála ar House of Guinness le fotheidil as Gaeilge Beidh deis ag lucht leanta Ros na Rún faire ar shobal dhráma rathúil TG4 le fotheidil as Gaeilge nó as Béarla agus deirtear go mbeidh an rogha sin á chur ar fáil ar chláracha eile amach anseo.
thejournal · 8 days ago
Arsenals Ben White ruled out for rest of season and facing World Cup woe Defender sustained significant medial ligament injuryArsenal without both right-backs with Timber also outBen Whites World Cup hopes appear to be over after Arsenal said the England defender would miss the rest of the season owing to a knee injury sustained in their win over West Ham on Sunday.White was forced off in the first half of Arsenals 1-0 victory and left the London Stadium with his injured knee in a brace. The Premier League leaders confirmed on Tuesday that the 28-year-old had sustained a significant medial ligament injury and would not feature in their final three fixtures, including the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain on 30 May. Continue reading...
theguardian · 8 days ago
Andy Murray returning to tennis on Drapers coaching team for Wimbledon tilt Two-time champion to help Draper in grass-court seasonBritish mens No 2 splits with coach Jamie DelgadoAndy Murray will make his return to tennis as part of Jack Drapers interim coaching team during the grass-court season when Draper begins his comeback from his recent knee injury.Draper has parted ways with Jamie Delgado after working together for six months. The pair linked up at only four ATP tournaments this year because of Drapers injuries over the past month. I am very grateful for everything Jamie Delgado has done for me over these past six months, said Draper in a statement. He is a world-class coach and a great man. In the interim, I will continue to be supported by the excellent team at the LTA, with the addition of Andy Murray, who will be supporting me throughout the grass-court season. Continue reading...
theguardian · 8 days ago
Football Daily | Tottenhams fabled penchant for self-sabotage is still very much to the fore Sign up now! Sign up now! Sign up now? Sign up now!Football Daily didnt get where it is today putting in more effort than is strictly necessary. But if Tottenham thought a Leeds team who had just guaranteed their own Premier League safety would give them an easy ride in their own harrowing survival battle, they were quickly disabused of any such notion. Lending credence to our possibly half-baked theory that most teams are determined to send Spurs down because it would be a great laugh, Daniel Farkes side scarcely left an inch of grass uncovered at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. While Spurs welcomed visitors whom they hoped would be sipping metaphorical mojitos on the beach, the dawning realisation that Leeds hadnt travelled to London to mess about was a sight to behold. Leeds contested every loose ball, tackle and throw-in fiercely, showing the kind of intensity that has been conspicuously absent from much of Tottenhams play this season. Only time will tell if the team from Yorkshire successfully pounded a nail into the Tottenham coffin lid but it certainly wouldnt have been for the want of swinging the collective hammer.As a Rochdale fan based in Sydney for the last 25 years, I have only ever seen one other person wearing a Rochdale shirt in Australia (at an Ashes test at the MCG). Now we have the glory of our own paragraph in Football Daily, can I expect to see a similar explosion in replica Rochdale shirts as Ive witnessed with Manchester City? – Nick Livesey.I wonder how West Ham fans feel about Oliver Glasners comments about having a responsibility only to Crystal Palace after the anaemic performance offered by a depleted Aston Villa team against Spurs plunged the Hammers back into the drop zone? – Neill McGowan.A recent Big Website article said Tottenham hope to exorcise demons. Risky, theyve been useless out of possession – Nick Coupland. Continue reading...
theguardian · 8 days ago
Aus bei ATP-Masters: Zverev scheitert in Rom schon im Achtelfinale Rückschlag für Alexander Zverev in der Vorbereitung auf die French Open: Gegen den Italiener Luciano Darderi dominiert er zunächst, doch im zweiten Satz kippt das Spiel. Zverev geht die Puste aus.
faz · 8 days ago