Football

ANTHONY ELANGA scored a wondergoal against former club Manchester United as fans hailed it the “goal of the season” – but left viewers divided with his celebration.The Nottingham Forest star, 22, scored what proved to be the winner within five minutes thanks to an outrageous solo effort.Anthony Elanga refused to celebrate wildly, despite the special nature of the goal, merely pointing to the skyCredit: RexElanga picked the ball up in his own half, drove up the pitch and poked homeCredit: GettyFans were divided over Elanga’s muted celebration, as some called it ‘cold’ while others thought he should have gone biggerCredit: ReutersAs the Midlanders cleared their lines from a corner, Elanga picked the ball up in his own half.The Swedish international weaved his way through three Man Utd defenders and kept going all the way into United’s box.He covered an incredible 85 metres in just nine seconds hitting around 21mph, keeping near-Olympic 100m pace, to catch United on their heels.Micky van de Ven’s 23mph sprint remains the quickest by a Premier League star this season, with Matheus Nunes and Bryan Mbeumo hot on his heels – but Elanga’s feat is all the more impressive as hit top speed with the ball glued to his feet.READ MORE SPORT STORIESThe speedster then poked the ball past Andre Onana – whom Forest had “taken the p*** out of in their matchday programme – to give his team the lead.Elanga, showing respect for the club he joined aged 12, refused to celebrate.But fans were more than happy to celebrate on his behalf.One wrote on X: “Elanga just scored the goal of the season against United.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSAnother said: “Elanga becomes 2012 Messi.”A third compared him to Liverpool’s leading man, writing: “Elanga wtf!! That was Salah’s standard.”Roy Keane names toughest ever opponent and favourite stadium and coach in Q&AElanga spent 11 years at Man Utd but was sold by Erik ten Hag in 2023Credit: GettyHowever, some supporters were frustrated with Elanga’s celebration, pointing to the way he was treated by United, as he was shoved out the Old Trafford exit in 2023.One pointed out: “Elanga celebrate man the deserve the rudest celebration for the way they treated you.”But another countered: “Elanga that was some cold celebration.”Another summarised: “Fair play to Elanga though. Outstanding goal and a very muted celebration. Showing his respect and class.”After the game, Elanga told TNT Sports: “It is about attacking the space and getting to the opposite goal as quick as I can. I saw the space and I believe I’m one of the fastest players in the league.”The finish is something I have been trying to work on. Left foot or right foot, I am quite comfortable with both feet this season.”All you want to do is keep on improving, coming here is about playing and developing.”I appreciate Manchester United so much as I learned a lot there. I am enjoying my football and I want to keep on going.”Many Man Utd fans were left frustrated by their club’s treatment of the 21-cap international winger.Elanga had shown great promise and had forced his way into the first-team, making 37 Premier League appearances in his final two seasons.Yet, despite showing huge potential, Erik ten Hag sold him to Forest for just £15million.Read More on The SunElanga has gone on to become a key cog in Champions League-chasing Forest’s XI, as well as Sweden, despite their wealth of attacking talent including Alexander Isak and Dejan Kulusevski.The winger now has six goals and eight assists this season, with his new side third in the table and United enduring a miserable campaign, currently 13th.What Man Utd said on hiring EACH of their post-Fergie managersDavid Moyes”All the skills needed to build on United’s phenomenal legacy.”Louis van Gaal”One of the outstanding managers in the game today.”Jose Mourinho”Quite simply the best manager in the game today.”Ole Gunnar Solskjaer “A wealth of experience, with a desire to give young players their chance and a deep understanding of the culture of the club.”Erik ten Hag”One of the most exciting and successful coaches in Europe.”Ruben Amorim “One of the most exciting and highly rated young coaches in European football.” More

ENGLAND head coach Thomas Tuchel’s first away game will be held in Barcelona rather than Andorra, UEFA has confirmed.The new boss opened his reign with a pair of Wembley wins against Albania and Latvia as World Cup qualification got underway in March.Thomas Tuchel’s first away game in charge of England will take place in Barcelona instead of AndorraCredit: RexRCD Espanyol’s RCDE Stadium will play host to the fixtureCredit: GettyEngland return to action in June away to Andorra, where the Euro 2024 runners-up last visited in a World Cup qualifier in October 2021.The Andorran FA has yet to announce the venue but UEFA confirmed Tuchel’s side will play the June 7 fixture in Spain rather than in the principality, as SunSport revealed last month.The European governing body confirmed the RCDE Stadium, which is LaLiga side Espanyol’s home ground, is to host the Group K fixture.Andorra were hoping England would open their new stadium in the town of Encamp but it is not going to be ready.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLEspanyol’s RCDE Stadium can hold 40,000 fans, which means many more England fans would be able to travel.Especially given that England’s last trip to take on Andorra saw them play at the Estadi Nacional in the capital, Andorra la Vella – a ground which only holds 3,000.England played Andorra in Barcelona in both 2007 and 2008, with both games at the Olympic Stadium.It’s understood that Villa Park has been lined up for the reverse fixture against Andorra on September 6.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSEngland will be away from Wembley for six months as they also play a home fixture at Nottingham Forest’s City Ground when Senegal come for a friendly on June 10.England will return to Villa Park for the first time since 2005 – a 0-0 draw against the Netherlands.Roy Keane delivers verdict on Thomas Tuchel after two games with England and claims he’s been handed ‘easy start’While they haven’t staged a game at the City Ground since 1941 – a wartime friendly against neighbours Wales.And you would have to go even further back to 1909 to trace the last competitive England game played at Forest’s ground. More

A STAR in the National League South scored a spectacular goal from inside his own penalty area to complete a magnificent hat-trick.Luke Coulson took centre stage for Weston-Super-Mare in their 4-2 win at Hornchurch on Saturday.Luke Coulson completed a stunning hat-trick with a goal from his own penalty areaCredit: X/ HornchurchFCThe strike saw Weston-Super-Mare beat Hornchurch 4-2Credit: X/ HornchurchFCCoulson had already scored twice for his side when the dramatic moment occurred at the end of the game.Hornchurch threw everybody in the penalty area – including their own goalie – to attack a last-gasp corner.However, it meant their end of the pitch was entirely empty.And unfortunately for them, Hornchuch’s set-piece did not land near any of their own players.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLInstead, it fell straight into the lap of Coulson.And with just seconds remaining on the clock, he blasted the ball out of his side’s box towards the other end of the pitch.But remarkably, the ball kept on moving towards Hornchurch’s goal.Despite Coulson being around 90 yards away, his kick had enough power to keep the ball trickling towards an empty opposition net.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSHornchuch players sprinted after it in desperation.But it was too little, too late as the ball slowly crossed the line in brilliant fashion.Unbelievable reverse scorpion kick goal sees ‘Puskas Award wrapped up already’ The goal sparked wild celebrations among Weston players and their travelling fans.It sealed a 4-2 result for the club while also seeing Coulson complete a treble.And supporters were quick to react online, with one saying: “Submit it to Fifa for the Puskas.”Another declared: “Distance is insane, empty net or not.”One noted: “Keeper’s had a howler.”Another added: “Tap-in merchant!” More