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WEST HAM host Burnley in the Premier League on Sunday Sunday.The Hammers are in fine form of late picking up back-to-back wins in the top flight, while the Clarets are in need of a win to boost their slim survival chances.
Kick off time: 2pm GMT
TV/Stream: Not available in the UK More
MANCHESTER UNITED have put their derby day defeat to Manchester City behind them with a comfortable win against Everton.Alejandro Garnacho’s directness earned United their first penalty which Bruno Fernandes comfortably converted.And Garancho also won the second penalty which Marcus Rashford tucked home.
RESULT: Man Utd 2-0 Everton
Live stream: discovery+
TV channel: TNT Sports 1
Man Utd starting XI: Pickford, Godfrey, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko, Harrison, Onana, Garner, McNeil, Doucoure, Beto
Everton starting XI: Onana, Lindelof, Varane, Dalot, Evans, Fernandes, Garnacho, Casemiro, Mainoo, McTominay, Rashford
PADDY POWER WELCOME OFFER – get £40 in free bet builder betsRed Devils need to find form
With Liverpool travelling to Old Trafford next weekend in the FA Cup, it offers Man Utd’s last chance for silverware this season.
They will need to up their levels from the game today when they face Jurgen Klopp’s side.
Not that the manager should need to motivate his players for such a game when their arch-rivals come to town.
Copy linkCopiedDyche unable to get Toffees out of rut
Sean Dyche’s side are still looking for their first win of the calendar year.
He will be frustrated as their build-up play was good but they lacked quality in the final third.
Unless Everton can start winning games, they may be dragged back into a relegation dogfight.
Copy linkCopiedFT: Man Utd 2-0 Everton
Alejandro Garnacho was awarded man of the match today as the person who won the two penalties but Man Utd’s skipper put in a solid performance.
He constantly supported the attacks, looking to link play and create chances.
Having scored the first penalty, Fernandes was integral to victory today for Erik ten Hag’s side.
Copy linkCopiedFT: Man Utd 2-0 Everton
The scoreline suggests a comfortable victory for the Red Devils but it was far from it.
The result papers over the cracks but they will need better performances than this if they have any hope of securing Champions League football.
For today, it is mission accomplished as they move to within three points of Tottenham.
Copy linkCopiedFT: Man Utd 2-0 Everton
Simon Hooper brings the game to a close at Old Trafford.
This was by no means a classic but it is the three points that count.
Man Utd continue to put pressure on the teams above them.
Copy linkCopiedMan Utd 2-0 Everton
90+2. Antony twists and turns out wide before trying to cross.
Branthwaite reads it well and puts the ball behind for a corner.
Man Utd work it short before whipping a cross into the box, but it is too close to Pickford.
Credit: Reuters
Copy linkCopiedMan Utd 2-0 Everton
90. As the cross comes in, Casemiro has a free header at the back post but heads it well wide.
That pretty much sums up the Brazilian’s afternoon.
We are going to have four minutes added.
Copy linkCopiedMan Utd 2-0 Everton
88. McTominay wins a free kick as he is fouled by Tarkowski.
The Everton defender is not happy with that decision.
Chermiti comes on for Mykolenko for the visitors.
Evans is replaced by Kambwala.
Copy linkCopiedMan Utd 2-0 Everton
86. Amrabat is penalised for a foul in the middle of the park.
It is too far out for a shot so Everton try and work a cross into the box.
Onana reacts well and comes to claim the ball.
Copy linkCopiedMan Utd 2-0 Everton
84. Dobbin crosses into the box but Mykolenko’s header goes wide of the goal.
Antony did enough at the back post to put the Ukrainian off.
At this stage, it seems Man Utd are heading for a much-needed win.
Copy linkCopiedMan Utd 2-0 Everton
82. As Everton whip in another corner, Calvert-Lewin does well to lose his marker and win the header.
There is no power in the effort which makes for an easy save for Andre Onana.
Antony comes on for the hosts, replacing Garnacho.
Credit: AP
Copy linkCopiedMan Utd 2-0 Everton
80. Calvert-Lewin has now gone 21 games since his last goal.
What the Everton striker would give to get that monkey off his back.
The visitors continue to dominate possession but are rarely threatening the Man Utd goal.
Copy linkCopiedMan Utd 2-0 Everton
78. Onana tries an outlandish bicycle kick from the edge of the box.
It is easily saved by the Man Utd keeper.
The Everton midfielder was looking to outdo Garnacho’s effort in the reverse fixture.
Amrabat comes on for Mainoo for United.
Copy linkCopiedMan Utd 2-0 Everton
76. As the ball is whipped into the back post, Godfrey heads it across goal.
Dobbin has the chance to shoot at the back post but his effort goes out for a throw in.
That pretty much sums up the visitors’ performance here today.
Copy linkCopiedMan Utd 2-0 Everton
74. Everton are still looking for their first win of 2024.
Unless they can improve their shooting, that wait is looking likely to continue.
Ashley Young replaces James Garner for the visitors.
Copy linkCopiedMan Utd 2-0 Everton
72. The longer the game goes on, the more desperate the visitors are becoming.
Man Utd need to improve their final ball as they are not taking advantage of the counter-attack.
Gomes comes forward, laying the ball off to Calvert-Lewin but a poor first touch allows the keeper to gather.
Credit: AFP
Copy linkCopiedMan Utd 2-0 Everton
70. McTominay is booked for a rash challenge on Onana.
A heavy touch by the Scottish midfielder gifted possession back to the visitors and he lunged in to try and win it back.
It is quite a subdued atmosphere at Old Trafford.
Copy linkCopiedMan Utd 2-0 Everton
68. Gomes looks to shoot from distance but it strikes Casemiro in the wall.
Everton are having a good period here, camped out in the Man Utd half.
Just as in the first half, the visitors are not doing enough with possession.
Copy linkCopiedMan Utd 2-0 Everton
66. McNeil comes over to take a corner for the visitors.
He manages to pick out Tarkowski in the box but Man Utd manage to clear their lines.
Lindelof is penalised for a foul on Onana, giving Everton a free kick in a very dangerous position.
Copy linkCopiedMan Utd 2-0 Everton
64. Fernandes gets a shot away in the box but Pickford does well to tip it behind for a corner.
He would have seen that late as it came through bodies in the box.
The corner comes in and drops dangerous in the middle of the box, a yard from goal, but nobody can convert.
Copy linkCopiedMan Utd 2-0 Everton
62. Dyche decides to make a triple change for Everton.
Calvert-Lewin, Dobbin and Gomes replace Beto, Harrison and Doucoure.
They will have some fresh legs now to try and stretch the Man Utd defence.
Credit: PA
Copy linkCopiedMan Utd 2-0 Everton
60. Everton are pressing well in the final third.
Man Utd are struggling to play through them so are having to go more direct with their balls into the front three.
Fernandes gets down the flank and spots Garnacho unmarked at the back post.
He manages to pick him out but the young winger cannot test Pickford in the visitors’ goal.
Copy linkCopiedMan Utd 2-0 Everton
58. The standard of passing in this game has been poor.
Beto has a brief glimpse of goal but his shot is blocked.
It comes to Onana who tries his luck from a tight angle but it is easily saved by his namesake.
Copy linkCopiedMan Utd 2-0 Everton
56. Sean Dyche looks set to make some changes.
Andre Gomes and Dominic Calvert-Lewin look ready to come on.
Everton need to get the next goal and the manager seems ready to shuffle his pack in order to do just that.
Copy linkCopiedMan Utd 2-0 Everton
54. Fernandes spots Garnacho in space.
As he feeds him the ball, the Argentine has a sight of goal but puts his shot well over the bar.
He really should be working Pickford at the least there.
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ANTHONY JOSHUA delivered a brutal right hand on Francis Ngannou to knock the Cameroonian out in Saudi last night.AJ is now firmly back in the world title picture after a brutal victory over the MMA legend.On the undercard, Joseph Parker picked up a huge win over Zhilei Zhang, Roman Fury kicked the show off with victory, and Nick Ball controversially DREW with Rey Vargas.AJ a ‘class act’
Boxing fans were quick to praise Anthony Joshua for delaying his celebrations until after he saw Francis Ngannou get back to his feet after being brutally put down in the second round of the Saudi showdown.
One wrote on x: “Top class this much respect.”
A second posted: “Class act. Well done AJ, go get ur belts back!!”
A third commented: “Class from AJ and complete respect to Francis Ngannou.”
And another added: “Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou are both class acts.”
Copy linkCopied’Best heavyweight’
Eddie Hearn insists Anthony Joshua’s demolition of Francis Ngannou proves he’s the best heavyweight on the planet.
The Matchroom Boxing chief said: “I’m so proud of him because there was a huge amount of pressure.
“If we won this fight then he would fight the winner of Fury vs Usyk.
“You’re looking at the number one heavyweight in the world.
“Tyson Fury please beat Usyk because you will get the biggest fight in the history of the sport.
“As a fighter, he’s an inspiration to young people.
“What I said would happen, happened. He destroyed Francis Ngannou.
“He’s a beast and I cannot wait for him to beat Tyson Fury.”
Credit: REUTERS
Copy linkCopiedAJ reveals private Ngannou conversation
Anthony Joshua has revealed what he told Francis Ngannou moments after knocking him out cold.
He said in the post-fight press conference: “I said, ‘Don’t let this discourage you.’
“‘Don’t let this success get to your head. And you should never failures get to your heart.’
“I told him he could be an asset to boxing – he’s an asset to the fight game. Don’t get discouraged and I respect you regardless.”
Credit: GETTT
Copy linkCopiedJoshua gives Ngannou boxing verdict
Anthony Joshua has urged Francis Ngannou NOT to leave boxing, despite his brutal defeat last night.
Victorious AJ, 34, said: “When I saw the fight with Tyson Fury I thought ‘I want some of that’. [Ngannou] is a great champion and this doesn’t take anything away from his capabilities.
“I told him not to leave boxing. He’s two fights in and he’s fought the best.”
Copy linkCopiedFans spot Tyson Fury’s reaction
Viewers spotted Tyson Fury’s “terrified” reaction immediately after Anthony Joshua’s explosive knockout of Francis Ngannou.
The Gypsy King, 35, was in the front row for the heavyweight clash in Saudi Arabia.
AJ’s promoter Eddie Hearn leapt out of his seat in excitement when his man delivered the crushing right hand to his Cameroonian opponent.
Frank Warren in the seat next to look perplexed while Paris Fury appeared visibly horrified before she started clapping.
But her husband Tyson sat completely still for a few moments, taking in the heavy shot.
And fans were convinced the WBC heavyweight champ is worried about the prospect of a possible showdown with Joshua after witnessing his raw power.
Copy linkCopiedParis Fury reacts to KO
Paris Fury looked stunned as Francis Ngannou was brutally knocked out by Anthony Joshua.
The Cameroonian, 37, had already been sent to the canvas twice before being viciously KO’d in the second round.
Heavyweight rival Tyson Fury was watching the action from ringside, sat alongside wife Paris.
After initially clapping, Paris, 34, raised her hand to the her mouth in shock at the brutal nature of the knockout.
Sat next to her, the Gypsy King smiled as he applauded the finish.
Having processed her initial shock, Paris then resumed her applause.
Credit: DAZN
Copy linkCopiedCristiano Ronaldo no show
Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo was not in attendance last night despite having a front-row seat reserved for him.
The 39-year-old now plies his trade in Saudi Arabia and was expected to be in attendance as Anthony Joshua KO’d Francis Ngannou.
A seat was emblazoned with “CR7” especially for Ronaldo.
But he did not show up to the event.
Copy linkCopiedJoshua praised for classy gesture
Anthony Joshua was called a “class act” after refusing to celebrate until he saw that Francis Ngannou was okay.
The Brit, 34, viciously knocked Ngannou out cold during the second round of their Saudi bout last night.
Rather than go wild in the ring, Joshua kept it respectful until Ngannou was back on his feet.
When the Cameroonian was eventually able to get up, AJ made a point of going over to shake his hand.
He then told the MMA star: “Don’t leave boxing.
“If you need anything let me know. We’ll speak another time.”
Copy linkCopiedFrancis Ngannou breaks silence
Beaten star has taken to social media to apologise to fans.
The Cameroonian, 37, was beaten by Anthony Joshua via vicious second round knockout.
Ngannou later wrote on social media: “Sorry guys I let you all down.
“Today was a bad day in the office but tomorrow will be another day.
“Thank you all for the love.”
Credit: Reuters
Copy linkCopiedJoshua reacts on social media
Anthony Joshua has posted a selfie with Francis Ngannou on social media.
He captioned the snap: “Respect my guy. African Giants.”
Copy linkCopiedAJ: ‘It is what it is’
Anthony Joshua said after his triumph: “It is what it is. On the route to the championship you should always stay focused and I had to step away from the mission.
“I am still learning and pushing, I don’t know if I am coming into my peak, if that was me down there you would be saying ‘Anthony Joshua should retire’.
“In five years I will be finished fighting and sitting down and all this will be a distant memory.
“I am going to go back and lock myself in my cage and they can let me out when they want me to fight. I just want to fight.”
Credit: Getty
Copy linkCopiedJake Paul speaks on fight
Jake Paul – who has a big fight himself coming up against Mike Tyson – has heaped praise on Anthony Joshua.
Paul wrote on X: “Francis Ngannou is one of the greatest fighters of all time. Respect due. Anthony Joshua is back. Activity & focus drives dominance.”
Copy linkCopiedFrancis Ngannou takes to X
The beaten man Francis Ngannou has taken to X after his big loss, and has apologised to his fans.
Ngannou wrote: “Sorry guys I let you all down. Today was a bad day in the office but tomorrow will be another day. Thank you all for the love.”
Copy linkCopiedMore from Joseph Parker
Parker beamed after his big win: “It’s a great win. I feel I am on the up right now.
“Zhang is a tough man but my team just kept telling me to follow the plan.
“Now I want to go home and celebrate and then we will come back and do the rematch.”
Credit: Getty
Copy linkCopiedJoseph Parker stuns Zhilei Zhang
If it wasn’t for Anthony Joshua’s stunning main even finish, the performance of the night would have been to Joseph Parker.
Parker bounced up off the deck TWICE to outpoint Zhilei Zhang and cement his place in the heavyweight world title race.
The 32-year-old – whose wife is pregnant with their fifth child and first son – was decked in the third and eighth but resurrected to be daddy cool in the desert.
Two months after he put on a masterclass to stun Deontay Wilder, he did the same to the 21st China star – apart from two blips.
Copy linkCopiedStunning finish
Anthony Joshua had already knocked Francis Ngannou down twice…before a ferocious right stopped it.
Ngannou was briefly seen by medics after the punch before getting back to his feet.
Credit: Getty
Copy linkCopiedJose Mourinho exclusive
Jose Mourinho arrived for Anthony Joshua’s fight with Francis Ngannou to heavy fanfare – and flashed his personalised phone case.
The former Chelsea and Manchester United manager – without a club after being sacked by Roma – took a ringside seat in Riyadh.
And he did so to huge elevation from the crowd, drawing a smile from The Special One.
Mourinho was captured by SunSport taking in the action and filming from his front row spot.
And he revealed his personalised JM phone case while recording the fights.
Copy linkCopiedNick Ball controversy
Fans have claimed Nick Ball was robbed after his fight with Rey Vargas ended in a draw.
The pair fought on the undercard of Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou in the Kingdom Arena, Riyadh last night.
Brit Ball took a while to get to grips with the featherweight champion as Vargas edged the early exchanges.
But the Liverpudlian started to find his target and rocked the Mexican on more than one occasion.
He dropped Vargas twice and viewers had Ball winning each of the last six rounds.
So many were, including a fuming Frank Warren, were shocked when the judges scored the contest a draw, and the announcement was greeted with boos inside the venue.
Copy linkCopiedTyson Fury’s reaction
Anthony Joshua knocked down Francis Ngannou in the first round – and Tyson Fury was loving it.
The Gypsy King had a front-row seat for the heavyweight clash in the Kingdom Arena, Saudi Arabia.
Fury laboured to a points win over the MMA champion in October but Joshua made lightwork of his opponent.
Joshua knocked down Ngannou two minutes into the contest and Fury reacted with enthusiasm as he vigorously nodded his head and passionately applauded his compatriot.
That was just the beginning of the excitement as Ngannou staggered back to his feet before seeing out the round.
Credit: GETTY
Copy linkCopiedJoshua poses with Ngannou after
Anthony Joshua has taken to Instagam to post a picture of himself alongside beaten opponent Francis Ngannou.
AJ wrote: “Respect my guy. African Giants.”
Respect from the winner there.
Copy linkCopiedRyan Garcia speaks on KO
Boxer Ryan Garcia – who has a big fight himself coming up – has said AJ’s stunning KO win should be a big warning to MMA fighters stepping in the boxing ring.
Garcia wrote: “Let this be A BIG WARNING to MMA fighters!! Stop coming to boxing it will only get worst.
“ITS more even if we just go to your sport! OVER! ONE PUNCH. Sending healing prayers to FRANCIS!”
Copy linkCopiedFrancis Ngannou breaks silence
The beaten man Francis Ngannou has taken to X after his big loss.
Ngannou wrote: “Sorry guys I let you all down. Today was a bad day in the office but tomorrow will be another day. Thank you all for the love.”
Copy linkCopiedAJ: ‘It is what it is’
After he was finally back on his feet, Joshua told the cameras: “It is what it is.
“On the route to the championship you should always stay focused and I had to step away from the mission. I thought it was just a gimmick for the broadcasters.
“When I saw the fight with Tyson Fury I thought damn this guy can fight, I want a piece of that.
“I wanted to welcome him and this does not take anything away from him, he can come again.
“I am still learning and pushing, I don’t know if I am coming into my peak, if that was me down there you would be saying ‘Anthony Joshua should retire’.
“In five years I will be finished fighting and sitting down and all this will be a distant memory.
“I am going to go back and lock myself in my cage and they can let me out when they want me to fight. I just want to fight.”
Copy linkCopiedAJ stops Ngannou – ringside report
Anthony Joshua obliterated Francis Ngannou in two sensational rounds to cement his place back in the heavyweight world title race.
The same man who took Tyson Fury the 10-round distance on his boxing debut in October – and dropped the WBC Gypsy King- never laid a glove on our 34-year-old superstar.
AJ was punch-perfect, calm and measured while also being ruthless and savage, putting the former UFC star on the ground twice before delivering the knockout punch.
Ngannou leaped up off the Riyadh canvas twice initially but he needed an age to recover from the final blow that almost took his swede-like head clean off.
He was subsequently given oxygen after being helped to his corner.
Credit: Getty
Copy linkCopiedThat winning moment
Brutal.
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WOLVES host Fulham at Molineux in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.Gary O’Neil’s side will be aiming to bounce back from their 3-0 drilling at Newcastle last weekend.Meanwhile, Fulham are eyeing their third straight win in the Premier League.
Kick off time: 3pm GMT
TV/ live stream: Not available in the UK due to 3pm blackout.
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BOURNEMOUTH take on Sheffield United in a Saturday afternoon Premier League encounter.The Cherries picked up three vital points against Burnley last time out.While the Blades were recently battered by Arsenal 6-0 on their home turf.PADDY POWER WELCOME OFFER – get £40 in free bet builder bets More
CRYSTAL PALACE host Luton in a Saturday afternoon Premier League match – and Luton are in need of the points.The Hatters currently sit 19th and will feel deflated after seeing Lucas Digne fire last week’s opponents Aston Villa to a late win.But Palace will also be licking their wounds as they squandered a one-goal lead to lose 3-1 against London rivals Tottenham.PADDY POWER WELCOME OFFER – get £40 in free bet builder bets More
ALL eyes are on the Europa League tonight with English sides back in last-16 action. West Ham lost 1-0 to Freiburg and were denied a penalty late on by VAR. Earlier in the evening, Liverpool beat Sparta Prague 5-1 thanks to a brilliant brace from Darwin Nunez and Brighton were thrashed 4-0 by Roma in their first leg clash.
Kick-off times: 5.45pm GMT & 8pm GMT
Stream/TV: TNT Sports/Discovery+
Hammers still confident of progressing
Despite defeat in Freiburg this evening, David Moyes’ team will go back to the London Stadium full of confidence that they can turn this tie around.
Only a goal behind, The Hammers have plenty of goals in this team, especially on home soil.
It is all set up now for another classic night in Europe for the club, something they are starting to get used to now.
Copy linkCopiedSeagulls unable to take flight in Rome
Albeit new for Brighton, having to juggle both domestic and European competition, they will be disappointed this evening.
Roberto De Zerbi will feel his team could have given a far better account of themselves in Rome.
Suffering a 4-0 defeat it seems a long way back for Brighton if they are stand any chance of progressing to the next round.
Credit: Getty
Credit: Getty
Copy linkCopiedWaturo does thankless job for Klopp
Defensive midfielders never get the credit they should, especially when you were your club’s third choice to buy after Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia.
Once again this evening, Waturo Endo put in a solid performance for Liverpool and steadied the ship in the heart of midfield.
If Jurgen Klopp is going to win trophies in his last season with the club, Endo is going to be one of the big players who will have made that happen.
Copy linkCopiedCompetitions need clarity of rules
Rangers can feel hard done by with the penalty they conceded this evening as Souttar was adjudged to have handled in the box.
In this country, that would not be given as he headed the ball onto his own arm with no intention of doing so.
However, it seems in Europe that the rules are different and teams need clarity on this or it will cause more negativity.
Credit: Getty
Copy linkCopiedAge is but a number, class is permanent
Angel Di Maria showed this evening why he is an integral part of the success of this Benfica side, even at the ripe old age of 36-years-old.
He was a constant thorn in the side of Rangers, scoring the penalty that drew the game level in the first half.
Phillipe Clement will need to have a plan to cope with him at Ibrox if they are to make the quarter-finals.
Copy linkCopiedFT: AC Milan 4-2 Slavia Prague
The team who knocked out Newcastle out of Europe look set to have a good chance of making the quarter-finals.
Milan will take a two-goal lead to Prague for the second leg.
It is still anybody’s game, the visitors were definitely hampered by going down to ten-men when having a player sent-off this evening.
Copy linkCopiedFT: Marseille 4-0 Villarreal
A brace from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang helped the French side to a convincing victory in the ’round of 16′.
The Spanish side have a massive mountain to climb if they want to progress to the next round.
Marseille willl feel they are capable of seeing this tie out and booking their place in the quarter-finals of the Europa League.
The visitors did not have one single shot on target during the entire game.
Copy linkCopiedFT: Benfica 2-2 Rangers
The referee brings the game to a close in Portugal.
Not many teams get anything at the Estadio da Luz, Phillipe Clement’s side must take this as a huge performance.
They now get to take them back to Ibrox, which no doubt will be bouncing, for the second leg all level.
Copy linkCopiedFT: Freiburg 1-0 West Ham
It is all over in Germany.
West Ham are edged out in what was quite an even game.
Alvarez gave the ball away on the halfway line, which then led to the goal which Freiburg will try to defend in London.
Copy linkCopiedFreiburg 1-0 West Ham
90+7. Wow. The referee decides no penalty.
We are not used to that in the Premier League, any time an official goes to the monitor, the decision changes.
That seems like West Ham’s last chance of a goal gone.
Copy linkCopiedFreiburg 1-0 West Ham
90+6. The ball hits Noah Weisshaupt’s arm in the box.
West Ham claim for a penalty but the referee is not interested.
VAR is though and sends him to the monitor.
Copy linkCopiedBenfica 2-2 Rangers
86. Roofe is putting in a real shift since coming on for Rangers.
He is chasing down every ball and making sure the defenders have no time on the ball whatsoever.
As he challenges Silva, he screams out in pain trying to get a free kick and a booking for the player,
The referee is not interested and when he realises, making a miraculous recovery and is not injured at all.
We need to start booking players for this, supposed big hard defenders who simulate fouls.
Copy linkCopiedFreiburg 1-0 West Ham
88. Just after the goal, Moyes brings off Ward-Prowse for Phillips.
Not sure whether that is tactical or just to make sure Gareth Southgate did not have a wasted trip to see his favourite player.
Either way, time is running out for West Ham to find an equaliser.
Copy linkCopiedAC Milan 4-2 Slavia Prague
85. Just as the visitors had worked so hard to get back into this game, they let it slip with another goal conceded.
Rafael Leao does well again to lay it on a plate for Pulisic and it is a simple finish for the American.
It gives them a two-goal lead to take into the second leg.
Copy linkCopiedGoal – Christian Pulisic (AC Milan)
Copy linkCopiedFreiburg 1-0 West Ham
81. The deadlock is finally broken in the final ten minutes.
In what has been a very even game, Michael Gregoritsch gets the all important goal in Germany.
Roland Sallai shoots across goal and the Austrian sub nips in between two West Ham players to poke home.
Credit: Getty
Copy linkCopiedGoal – Michael Gregoritsch (Freiburg)
Copy linkCopiedBenfica 2-2 Rangers
67. Rangers have hit the self-destruct button in Portugal.
A curling ball is swung into the box and Goldson only has Rangers players around him, with the ball seemingly heading back to Butland.
Goldson gets his head to it and puts it in the far corner of his own goal.
Copy linkCopiedOwn goal – Connor Goldson (Rangers)
Copy linkCopiedFreiburg 0-0 West Ham
65. Almost the deadlock broken in Germany.
Jarrod Bowen cuts in from the right and bends a left-footed shot towards goal which seems to be heading in.
Noah Atubolu makes a sublime save to deny the visitors a goal.
Copy linkCopiedAC Milan 3-2 Slavia Prague
65. The visitors do not seem to have read the script tonight.
As AC Milan fail to clear their lines in their own box, Schranz reacts quickest to slot the ball home.
This puts the cat amongst the pigeons at the San Siro for the remainder of the game.
Copy linkCopiedGoal – Ivan Schranz (Slavia Prague)
Copy linkCopiedBenfica 1-2 Rangers
56. The Portuguese side are still trying to get forward at any opportunity but Clement’s side are defending well.
Not that it is back against the wall stuff as Rangers have had their fair share of half-chances also.
They just seem to need to show a little more composure in the final third.
Credit: Willie Vass
Copy linkCopiedMarseille 4-0 Villarreal
60. The French side are looking to get this tie won tonight.
A sublime lob from the former Arsenal striker with his left-foot to increase the lead.
This could turn into an even heavier defeat for the Spaniards with 30 minutes of the game still to play.
Copy linkCopiedGoal – Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Marseille)
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MANCHESTER CITY have charged into the Champions League quarter-finals after a 6-2 aggregate win over Copenhagen. Manual Akanji, Julian Alvarez and Erling Haaland did the damage as City recorded a 3-1 win in the second leg at the Etihad Stadium.Haaland’s strike was his 41st Champions League goal in just 37 appearances in the competition.
Man City XI: Ederson; Lewis, Akanji, Ruben, Gvardiol; Rodri, Kovacic; Nunes, Alvarez, Bobb; Haaland.
Copenhagen XI: Grabara; Jelert, Vavro, McKenna; Ankersen, Froholdt, Óskarsson, Clem, Diks; Achouri, Elyounousssi
That’s all!
A reminder, our full match report from this evening’s game is now live and at the bottom of this post.
A comfortable night for City who will have tougher tasks in the next couple of weeks.
But it’s about getting the job done and they’re ticking along nicely in their Double Treble pursuit.
Goodnight!
Copy linkCopiedWhen is the draw?
For City fans, they’ll have some time to wait before finding out their quarter final opponents.
With the remainder of the ties to be played next week, the draw won’t be until those games have been played.
It’ll take place on Friday, March 15.
Copy linkCopiedInto the hat
It’s shaping up to be a splendid end to the Champions League this season.
Four elite sides have booked their place in the draw and there’s some big teams still to play, too.
Here’s how it’s shaping up:
Man City
Paris Saint-Germain
Bayern Munich
Real Madrid
Arsenal/Porto
Napoli/Barcelona
Inter Milan/Real Sociedad
PSV Eindhoven/Borussia Dortmund
Copy linkCopiedCoincidence?
Here’s a weird one.
Those three goals City scored tonight mean that they’ve now scored EXACTLY three goals in all eight Champions League games so far.
Yep, 24 goals scored and all evenly spread out, in home games and away games up until this point.
Very cool.
Copy linkCopiedJoining the top
Erling Haaland now joins Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe atop the Champions League goal standings this season.
The other two remain in the competition too so this is another dimension to the remainder of the tournament.
Copy linkCopiedPep’s delight
Pep Guardiola reckons the belief and time to build the process is paying off for his Manchester City stars.
He told TNT Sports: “We’re into the next round. Still we are there in this competition. It was difficult to attack them (FC Copenhagen) because they are well organised playing four or five at the back.
“We are well respected for our openness. Before I arrived we didn’t believe we could do it. It’s a question of time, a process. They gave me time, gave us time.
“We are a team that believes we can do it. We’re competing with Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, we don’t know who we are going to face. It’s a question of wait and see. The important thing is seven years in a row we are there.”
Copy linkCopiedSpeaking of Euro stats
And Erling Haaland has now hit the same number of Champions League goals for Man City as Sergio Aguero managed.
That seems an incredible stat, given just how prolific Aguero seemed during his time in the North West.
And when you hear Haaland did it in 42 games fewer, you realise what a serious goal scorer they have on their hands.
Copy linkCopiedEuro dominance
A stat from OptaJoe here, with Manchester City now 30 games unbeaten at home in this competition (W28, D2).
They’re only the second side to complete that incredible feat, following Barcelona, who reached 38 games between September 2013 and November 2020.
Copy linkCopiedMatch report
Manchester City may have got a helping hand from the man in the mask.
But there was no disguising their superiority as they swept to a 10th straight win in the Champions League.
Former Liverpool keeper Kamil Grabara was left red faced as he fumbled a cross shot from Julian Alvarez into his net early on.
Yet luckily for the Pole his face was covered up – so his blushes were spared.
What would Pep Guardiola give for a clanger like that from one of the current Reds squad in Sunday’s title showdown at Anfield?
Copy linkCopiedGreat run
City now head into a crunch game with Liverpool on the back of a 20-game unbeaten run in all competitions.
Copy linkCopiedMOTM speaks
Player of the Match, Manuel Akanji told TNT Sports that City have to prove to everyone why they’re favourites for the competition.
Speaking on his award tonight, he said: “I never thought I’d get something like this, my son’s will love it!
“I saw the ball dropping perfect for my foot and I just tried to hit it. I was really happy with it.
“We knew if we could score the first goal and double it up with the second it would be hard for them. We did what we had to do.
“We’ll see how the draw pans out but we’re amongst the favourites but have to show it.”
Copy linkCopiedThe numbers on the night
The stats behind the 90 minutes, which show Copenhagen gave as good as they got when it came to efforts on goal.
Possession wise they were some way behind and didn’t even have half as many passes as City.
Some positives to take nonetheless, with City scoring with every shot on target they managed.
Copy linkCopiedCity cruise
A routine win for City who had the tie wrapped up in the opening half hour.
Manuel Akanji and Julian Alvarez with goals inside 10 minutes before Mo Elyounoussi got one back on the half hour.
Erling Haaland scored on the stroke of half time and that was the end of the scoring.
Some rest for his key men, too. A great night for Pep.
Copy linkCopiedFULL TIME!
The European champions are into the quarter finals of the Champions League.
Another 3-1 win over Copenhagen on the night, 6-2 on aggregate!
Copy linkCopiedMan City 3-1 Copenhagen (agg: 6-2)
CLOSE!
90+2. Rico Lewis nearly makes it four in the dying stages, collecting a great pass from Wright before hitting the crossbar as he bears down on goal.
Copy linkCopiedFULL TIME!
A couple of late scares for Real Madrid but they see out the result tonight and they’re into the hat for the quarters!
Leipzig put up some fight in the end but the 1-1 draw enough for Ancelotti’s men to progress.
Copy linkCopiedMan City 3-1 Copenhagen (agg: 6-2)
Three minutes added.
Copy linkCopiedMan City 3-1 Copenhagen (agg: 6-2)
89. Mattsson booked for a foul on Lewis.
Copy linkCopiedMan City 3-1 Copenhagen (agg: 6-2)
87. A memorable moment for a young Manchester boy as Jacob Wright comes on for City.
A proud moment for him as he replaces Erling Haaland with a few minutes left.
He’d have been on earlier but City had another spell of possession for several minutes which resulted in him hanging about on the touchline.
OFF: Erling Haaland
ON: Jacob Wright
Copy linkCopiedReal Madrid 1-1 Leipzig (agg: 2-1)
Four minutes added in Spain!
Copy linkCopiedMan City 3-1 Copenhagen (agg: 6-2)
84. Mattsson is almost in again but his shot is blocked high in the air.
Cornelius tries to swing a high boot at it but Akanji beats him to it and the defender takes a sore one in the process.
Cornelius is shown a yellow card.
Copy linkCopiedMan City 3-1 Copenhagen (agg: 6-2)
82. Superb defending from Akanji.
Elyounoussi looks to have gotten clear inside the area and through on goal but the defender shows great pace and strength to step back in and nudge off him the ball and allow Ederson to collect.
Copy linkCopiedReal Madrid 1-1 Leipzig (agg: 2-1)
82. Into the final 10 minutes in Madrid as Leipzig push forward for an equaliser.
Each side has picked up three yellow cards on the night, highlighting how fiercely competitive it has been.
Copy linkCopiedMan City 3-1 Copenhagen (agg: 6-2)
78. Another corner for Copenhagen as Mattsson’s effort from distance deflects wide.
The ball in is dealt with by City but it falls to Elyounoussi on the edge of the box who blazes well over.
Copy linkCopiedMan City 3-1 Copenhagen (agg: 6-2)
76. And they almost have another goal to celebrate!
The deep corner finds Elyounoussi who nods it back across goal, where McKenna helps it on towards Diks but he doesn’t know much about it and Ederson rushes off his line to gather.
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