Champions League

Subterms

    More stories

    • 238 Shares69 Views

      in Soccer

      Gary Neville trolled with masks and X-rated chant by Nottingham Forest fans after Sky Sports pundit banned from stadium

      by

      GARY NEVILLE was mocked by Nottingham Forest fans with masks and an X-rated chant following his City Ground ban.Forest refused to let the Sky Sport pundit cover Sunday’s Premier League finale against Chelsea.One Nottingham Forest fan posed this cheeky questionCredit: GettySupporters taunted Gary Neville over his stadium banCredit: Shutterstock EditorialNeville was banned after blasting a ‘scandalous’ incidentCredit: GettyThe club were unhappy at fierce criticism from the Manchester United legend in social media posts.Neville called the way Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis appeared to confront manager Nuno Espirito Santo on the pitch “scandalous”.The ex-England defender even urged Nuno to QUIT over the incident.However, Marinakis later insisted he had only being showing concern over his medical team’s handling of what turned out to be a serious injury for Taiwo Awoniyi.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLForest responded to Neville’s outburst by denying him accreditation this weekend.The club also asked Sky to change their commentary team – a move the broadcaster described as “unwelcome”.Nev’s colleague Roy Keane reacted by labelling his old outfit Forest “small-minded”.But it seems fans agree with their club – or at least they just couldn’t resist trolling Neville.Most read in FootballFans spoofed Sky Sports star NevilleCredit: Shutterstock EditorialBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKSome wore masks of his face, while one supporter held up a poster with the famous “Where’s Wally?” image changed to “Where’s Gary?”Other masked fans spoofed Nev’s Sky role by holding up headphones.Taiwo Awoniyi seen for first time since horror injury as he receives hero’s welcome at Nottingham Forest vs ChelseaEx-Arsenal striker Alan Smith replaced Neville in Sky’s commentary team.But just ahead of kick-off, home supporters upped their venom by chanting “Gary Neville is a w*****”.The 50-year-old had earlier gone on social media to share his shock over his ban.Neville said: “I’ve dished out my fair share of criticism and praise in the last 14 years of doing this job and never come close to this unprecedented action. “Personally, I think it’s disappointing that a great club like Nottingham Forest have been reduced to making such a decision.”Whilst they have every right to choose who they let into their own stadium, it’s symptomatic of things that have happened over the last 12 months with the club.”Nev added that he wished Forest “all their best” for their bid to secure Champions League football.Read More on The SunBut instead Levi Colwill’s 50th-minute winner booked Chelsea’s place in Europe’s top club tournament.Forest had to settle for seventh place and a spot in the Conference League – still way above the pre-season expectations of almost every pundit.Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis sparked Neville’s social media outburst when he spoke to manager Nuno Espirito Santo on the pitchCredit: AFP More

    • 238 Shares97 Views

      in Soccer

      Levi Colwill SWEARS in live Sky Sports interview as Chelsea ace hits out at pundits after Champions League qualification

      by

      LEVI COLWILL accidentally swore live on Sky Sports after securing Chelsea’s return to the Champions League.The centre-back’s second-half winner at Nottingham Forest sealed a fourth-place finish for Enzo Maresca’s Blues. Levi Colwill accidentally swore live on Sky SportsAnd Colwill said: “Everyone has been talking a lot of s*** about us this season.”The defender let out a smile before joining his Chelsea team-mates in celebrating their Champions League qualification. Colwill also said: “When I scored, I stayed calm because we still had more minutes to play but I stayed calm and helped the boys.”What I got taught in the academy is you have to fight. We try to get these clean sheets to win and that’s what we did today.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”We had to win. We knew we had to win and that it wasn’t going to be a hard atmosphere but we did it.”This club deserves to be in the Champions League.”Chelsea were contending for the Premier League title before the wheels started to fall off after Christmas. And at one point, finishing in the top five and earning a spot in Europe’s elite was under threat. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThey started the day in fifth, but after Newcastle and Aston Villa were both beaten, Chelsea finished in fourth. Maresca said: “They grow a lot as a team and a player and they showed how good they are today.”I hope so, we brought this club where it has to be. We finished sixth last year and most of the time, they forget that.”The only thing I knew was when Man United scored their second one. They told me 2-0. We didn’t need the rest to drop points, we won.”Enzo Maresca leads the Chelsea celebrationsCredit: Getty More

    • 213 Shares69 Views

      in Soccer

      Nottingham Forest 0 Chelsea 1: Blues star who got Tricky Trees promoted ruins their Champions League dream

      by

      LEVI COLWILL netted a rare and lucrative goal which propelled Chelsea’s billion-pound boys’ club into the Champions League after a two-year absence. And for Nottingham Forest, it was a case of what Colwill giveth, Colwill taketh away. Chelsea secured Champions League football with a narrow win over Nottingham ForestCredit: GettyA 50th-minute goal from Levi Colwill secured the west Londoners a 1-0 win at the City GroundCredit: GettyEnzo Maresca’s troops will dine at the top table of European football next seasonCredit: PAIt was the Chelsea defender’s own goal, while on loan at Huddersfield Town, which earned Forest promotion to the top flight in the Championship Play-Off Final of 2022. But early in the second half, the England man scored only the fifth goal of his career to settle this final-day shoot-out for a place at European football’s top table. And Chelsea now head to Poland for Wednesday’s Europa Conference League Final against Real Betis, knowing they are assured of a place back in the elite. This result ensured that Enzo Maresca will survive as head coach at Stamford Bridge and will allow Todd Boehly & Co to argue that their policy of bulk-buying young players on long contracts is beginning to bear fruit. READ MORE ON CHELSEAAfter a tense match of few chances, Nuno Espirito Santo’s men ended up in seventh place, which earns them a place in the Conference League next term. This season had promised far more from Forest, who were up in the top three of the Premier League for the majority of the campaign. But they have taken just one point from their final four home matches, which ultimately killed off their ambitions of playing in a higher echelon of European competition. For Chelsea, this was only a second Premier League away game since December.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSThey were playing without a recognised centre-forward in their starting line-up – Pedro Neto operating as a ‘false nine’ in the absence of the suspended Nicolas Jackson.While Forest had looked nailed-on for the Champions League for much of the season, a return to European football had already been secured after a 30-year hiatus.Taiwo Awoniyi seen for first time since horror injury as he receives hero’s welcome at Nottingham Forest vs ChelseaAnd a banner reading ‘Destination: Europe’ was unfurled on the Trent End. Before kick-off, Gary Neville – banned from the City Ground for criticising Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis – was being widely accused of indulging in one-in-a-bed romps. But on the pitch, it was deathly dull early on – neither side bearing any attacking teeth, with Forest wasteful from set-pieces. It took almost half an hour for a serious scoring opportunity to arise – Noni Madueke feeding Cole Palmer down the right and the England man centring for Neto to volley over.Almost immediately, Elliott Anderson responded for Forest with a dipping long-ranger which fell wide of the far post. Largely, though, it was anxious and fractious stop-start stuff – Chelsea’s players doing an awful lot of falling over, with ref Anthony Taylor rarely responsive. There were penalty shouts from the Forest fans when Anthony Elanga went down after a tangle with Palmer, but Taylor and his VAR were not interested. Levi Colwill scored an own goal in the 2021/22 play-off final against Nottingham ForestCredit: PAJust before half-time, Ola Aina swung in a cross from the right, Chris Wood arrived before keeper Robert Sanchez, but the Kiwi striker volleyed over. At the start of the second half, Chelsea were showing more intent, and within four minutes of the restart, they were ahead. A corner was partially cleared, but a Marc Cucurella ball over the top caught Forest flat-footed and Neto rolled across goal for Colwill to tap in at the back stick and celebrate in front of the travelling Blues fans. Soon, Madueke’s shot was scooped clear by Matz Sels as Chelsea went in for a quick kill. Nuno sent on former Chelsea man Callum Hudson-Odoi and then Ryan Yates, after Nicolas Dominguez was forced to hobble after a heavy challenge from Madueke. Read More on The SunBut Forest struggled to turn a spell of territorial advantage into goalscoring opportunities, although Wood had a close-range effort deflected over in injury time.And Chelsea were able to secure qualification for the Champions League in a relatively comfortable fashion.  More

    • 213 Shares69 Views

      in Soccer

      Final Premier League table revealed with nine teams in Europe and Man Utd finishing in embarrassing position

      by

      THIS is how the final Premier League table looks – after a dramatic race for Champions League on the final day of the season. Liverpool already had the title wrapped up in April and finished on 84 points after drawing with FA Cup winners Crystal Palace at Anfield.The two will now rematch at Wembley in August when the Community Shield kicks off the new season. Arsenal came second for the THIRD campaign in a row having also bailed out in the semi-finals stages of the Champions League.The Gunners ended their campaign with a 2-1 win at rock-bottom Southampton. The tension came in the race for Europe’s elite next season as FIVE clubs looked to book their place in the Champions League. Most read in FootballAnd Manchester City, Chelsea and Newcastle all booked their place following final day chaos. City – who surrendered the title to Liverpool – had no problems seeing off Fulham 2-0 at Craven Cottage. And Chelsea held their nerve to beat Nottingham Forest away from home thanks to Levi Colwill’s winner.Aston Villa looked on course to take fifth spot despite keeper Emi Martinez getting sent off.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSMorgan Rogers put the ball in the net after United stopper Altay Bayindir fumbled the ball. But VAR intervened to adjudge that the keeper was impeded and dispossessed while the ball was in his hands.And just moments after the controversial call, Amad Diallo opened the scoring for United before a Christian Eriksen penalty sealed the game.It meant Newcastle – who lost at home to Everton – snuck into the top five and secured the remaining Champions League spot.United came 15th – the club’s worst Prem finish – off the back of Europa League final defeat to Tottenham.And Spurs – who won their first trophy in 17 YEARS – ended 17th after losing 4-1 at home to Brighton to also make unwanted history. Already relegated were Leicester, Ipswich and Southampton. Palace, who held champions Liverpool 1-1, took the ninth European spot in England after winning the FA Cup.Forest and Villa settle for Europa League football too, with Spurs earning a Champions League spot after their Europa League triumph. Man City secured Champions League footballCredit: APChelsea also secured a place in Europe’s eliteCredit: GettyNewcastle got the fifth and final Champions League spot despite defeatCredit: AFPAston Villa’s 2-0 loss at Man Utd meant they blew itCredit: Getty More

    • 225 Shares69 Views

      in Soccer

      Champions League places CONFIRMED after Aston Villa VAR controversy as Newcastle have to be saved by Man Utd

      by

      THE Premier League’s European representatives have been decided after a tense final day wrapped up which clubs will be playing under the lights against Europe’s elite next season.Manchester City, Newcastle United and Chelsea have secured spots alongside Arsenal and champions Liverpool in the Champions League next term.Manchester City secured a Champions League football with a third place finishCredit: PANewcastle snuck into the competition despite losing to EvertonCredit: PAChelsea snatched a place amongst Europe’s elite tooCredit: GettyThe trio swooped up the remaining three spots amongst Europe’s top brass thanks to their last day efforts.Manchester City wound up comfortable 2-0 winners over Fulham as Ilkay Gundogan and Erling Haaland found the back of the net in Kevin de Bruyne’s final game for the Cityzens.The victory means that, despite a ‘disastrous’ campaign, City still finished third – just three points behind Arsenal.Chelsea took home fourth spot thanks to their 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest, with Levi Colwill’s goal the difference between the two sides battling it out for a place in the top spots.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLIt was the Chelsea defender’s own goal, while on loan at Huddersfield Town, which earned Forest promotion to the top flight in the Championship Play-Off Final of 2022. But early in the second half, the England man scored only the fifth goal of his career to settle this final-day shoot-out for a place at European football’s top table. Eddie Howe’s Newcastle appeared to stumble, losing 1-0 to Everton at St James’ Park and slipping out of the top five.But Manchester United’s shock win over a 10-man Aston Villa side meant that the Magpies jumped back into the Champions League positions despite their own efforts – winding up as fifth place finishers.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSVilla finished sixth instead, meaning they will now compete in next season’s Europa League.And it could have been very different at Old Trafford, with Villa having a controversial goal ruled out following VAR’s inability to intervene.Morgan Rogers chased down Harry Maguire’s loose header back to goal and nicked the ball out of the Altay Bayindir’s grasp, rolling the ball into an open net to give Villa the lead.But referee Thomas Bramall had blown for a foul by Rogers on Bayindir, only for replays to show the United stopper never had full control of the ball and the goal should therefore have stood.Who made it into Europe?Here’s a breakdown of which Premier League teams will be playing in Europe next season…Champions LeagueLiverpool – 1st placeArsenal – 2nd placeMan City – 3rd placeChelsea – 4th placeNewcastle – 5th placeTottenham – Europa League winnersEuropa LeagueAston Villa – 6th placeCrystal Palace – FA Cup winnersConference LeagueNottingham Forest – 7th placeHowever, due to the official having already blown his whistle for a free-kick, VAR were unable to overturn the decision – Villa’s goal was calked off and United went on to bag two goals and win the match 2-0.For Nottingham Forest, their dream of a return to the Champions League was snatched away as Chelsea earned a narrow 1-0 victory over Nuno Espirito Santo’s spirited team at the City Ground.But their superb season won’t go entirely unrewarded as they will still return to Europe for the first time since 1996 – earning a place in the Conference League with their seventh placed finish.Meanwhile Crystal Palace will also compete in the Europa League thanks to their FA Cup success over Man City, and Tottenham will return to the Champions League as a result of their Europa League glory over Man Utd.Aston Villa slipped out of the Champions League places and into the Europa LeagueCredit: AFPNottingham Forest missed out on both the Champions League and the Europa LeagueCredit: PACrystal Palace’s FA Cup success has earned them a spot in the Europa LeagueCredit: GettyTottenham will return to the Champions League after their Europa League successCredit: Getty More

    • 225 Shares76 Views

      in Soccer

      Chloe Kelly shows off her dancing as Arsenal stars get private performance from Alex Scott’s girlfriend Jess Glynne

      by

      CHLOE KELLY led the dancing as Alex Scott’s singer girlfriend Jess Glynne put on a private show for history-making Arsenal.Sub Stina Blackstenius’ sizzling strike sunk holders Barcelona in the Women’s Champions League final in Lisbon.Chloe Kelly spearheaded the revelling at Arsenal’s partyCredit: Instagram / @alessiaGunners’ fan Jess Glynne helped make it an extra special nightBubbly in hand, Kelly took a brief break from dancingCredit: Instagram / @alessiaSinger Glynne was as overjoyed with victory as the playersAnd exuberant celebrations at a party afterwards suggested the Gunners agreed with pundits that it was their finest ever achievement.Arsenal had lifted the top European domestic crown just once before – in 2007.And the jubilation this time, on the final whistle in Portugal, was certainly wild.But it didn’t compare to the joyous way the team bopped the night away on the dancefloor.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLStriker Kelly looked especially proud of her footwork – as she shimmied at the front with a winner’s medal round her neck as Glynne performed on stage.Glynne, 35, has been dating 40-year-old BBC football presenter Scott, an Arsenal legend, since 2023.And as the songwriter belted out tunes, Kelly beamed as she held a glass of bubbly while wearing an Arsenal shirt with the words “Champions 2025” on it.The Lionesses star shared two clips of her efforts on her Instagram Stories page.Most read in FootballAlex Scott celebrated as if she was still an Arsenal playerCredit: GettyGlynne and Scott were at the final triumph in the Estadio Jose AlvaladeCredit: PAScott wore a retro shirt from the 1980s, albeit croppedCredit: PABEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKKelly’s team-mate Alessia Russo added more ecstatic scenes from the evening on her own social media account.Arsenal fan Glynne had shared champagne with Kelly at the Estadio José Alvalade stadium the previous day, in front of 38,356.Katie McCabe slides on the floor in Arsenal dressing room after Champions League finalAnd if anything, the Londoner looked even happier than her partner – at least until Scott headed onto the pitch to rejoice afterwards with arms aloft as if she was still a player.It was an explosion of joy and relief, showing she had lived every minute with the current Gunners as they defended brilliantly before conjuring a clinical winner.The Gunners were in dreamland after shocking favourites BarcelonaCredit: AFPArsenal lifted the top domestic European crown for the second timeCredit: AP More

    • 263 Shares111 Views

      in Soccer

      Aston Villa RAGING after being denied crucial goal vs Man Utd due to VAR protocol and miss out on Champions League

      by

      ASTON VILLA are FUMING after missing out on Champions League qualification after they had a goal wrongly disallowed and VAR could not intervene.With their game at Old Trafford goalless, Manchester United keeper Altay Bayindir appeared to get away with a huge error.Aston Villa were denied a goal in controversial circumstancesMorgan Rogers appeared to nick the ball off Altay BayindirCredit: PABut the referee had blown his whistle for a foulCredit: PAThe goal was disallowed and VAR could not interveneCredit: PAMorgan Rogers chased down Harry Maguire’s header back and he nicked the ball out of the Bayindir’s grasp.The Villa man then rolled the ball into an empty net in what looked to be a crucial goal for Villa’s European dreams.But referee Thomas Bramall had blown for a foul by Rogers on Bayindir.Replays showed the United stopper never had full control of the ball and the goal should therefore have stood.But due to the official having already blown his whistle for a free-kick, VAR were unable to overturn the decision.And just minutes later, Amad Diallo scored to make it 1-0 to United before Christian Eriksen doubled their lead.It meant Villa missed out on Champions League qualification as they failed to better Newcastle’s result, who lost to Everton by a goal.Before the controversial refereeing incident, Villa were on course to finish in the top five ahead of the Toon.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSBut defeat meant they finished on 66 points in sixth place, missing out to Newcastle on goal difference.Villa have instead had to settle for a place in next season’s Europa League.McGinn ragingAston Villa captain John McGinn was raging after the game.He said: “I think everyone wanted the correct decisions when the VAR was implemented. You watch rugby, even if the referee has awarded a try and it’s wrong, its overturned. “It’s so so hard to take especially when the impact it has on us, as a club and a team, is so big. “Its’ really, really tough to take and handle. I don’t think we deserved to win but if you were 1-0 up at that point and all you need is a point to get to the Champions League, it’s costly.”Moving forward, the rule has to be looked at as the correct decisions were not getting made at the end of the day. I think [referee] Thomas [Bramall] knew. It probably wasn’t fair on him at that moment either. The boys are gutted.”Asked if the ref acknowledged his mistake, he said: “He didn’t really know what to say. “Because of the impact it has on us as players and our careers, the club, you are obviously angry. I think he is a young referee who has progressed very quickly. “Maybe we could look at having more experienced referees. I don’t know. It’s just an incredible decision and makes today even worse than it should be.”Manage Unai Emery added: “It was a mistake. A big mistake.”The match we played overall in 90 minutes with the red card and this goal disallowed, it was a key moment. but overall, they did more. Read More on The Sun”But we showed resilience with one player less. We could have scored one goal and it would have been a good opportunity to continue and keep the result. We didn’t perform enough today to get a good result but we could get it, in case some decision weren’t like it was.”Emery revealed he spoke with the referee after the game: “Yes, I told him but he knows it [he made a mistake].” More

    • 213 Shares76 Views

      in Soccer

      Premier League kick-offs DELAYED with Champions League race in the balance after Emi Martinez moment of madness

      by

      EVERY Premier League game involving a team fighting for the Champions League was delayed following the red card to Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.Martinez was shown a straight red card in the first half of Villa’s battle with Manchester United at Old Trafford after he wiped out a goal-bound Rasmus Hojlund.Manchester United and Aston Villa players waited for their match to kick back offCredit: TNT SportsFulham and Man City players stood around waiting tooThat red card caused a hefty delay in the United vs Villa game – subsequently delaying every other match involving teams competing for Champions League places.Sky Sports presenter Dave Jones revealed that the second-halves involving the European hopefuls had been delayed so they could kick off at the same time.That meant Man Utd vs Villa, Fulham vs Man City, Newcastle vs Everton and Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea all had to wait around to sync up their second-half kick off.The decision isn’t unusual and is made in the interest of competitive integrity, aiming to avoid any two teams from being able to settle for a certain result in the knowledge that a different game has gone their way elsewhere.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLVilla, Chelsea, Forest, Newcastle and City are all battling for the three remaining places in the Champions League next season – with Arsenal and champions Liverpool already wrapping up two of the five allocated spots.The other six games being played in the Prem were not impacted by the delay and were allowed to kick off their second halves as usual.Martinez’ red card made Villa’s chances of sneaking into the Champions League places much more difficult, and it was a nightmare for him too.That’s because the Argentine was seemingly playing his final game for the Villans, having waved goodbye to Villa Park with teary eyes last weekend.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSIt was an impossible task too, as Villa wound up losing 2-0 to Man Utd.That result meant that Unai Emery’s side fell out of the Champions League spots and ultimately finished sixth – meaning it will be Europa League football at Villa Park next season instead.Martinez has been linked with a switch to Saudi Arabia, while SunSport have also revealed he is a target for former club Arsenal who are eyeing a reunion with the shot-stopper should David Raya leave this summer.If Martinez is to remain in the Premier League – he will start next season with a three match ban.Martinez looked as though he waved goodbye to the Villa Park faithful when the Villans played their final home game of the season last weekend.The goalkeeper was in tears as he walked off the pitch following Villa’s 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur.Martinez joined Villa in 2020 following a breakout period of success at Arsenal under Mikel Arteta, coming in for the injured Bernd Leno and helping the Gunners win the FA Cup.Since his switch to the Midlands, the former Reading and Rotherham loanee has won the Copa America twice, the World Cup and been named Fifa’s Best Keeper in the World two times.Emi Martinez wiped out Rasmus HojlandCredit: Shutterstock EditorialThomas Bramall had no choice but to send him offCredit: GettyIt could be Martinez’s final game for VillaCredit: AFP More