European Football Thread

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Sun 13 Apr 2025
‧
Premier League
Newcastle United- 4 , Manchester United- 1 at Full time

Half Time Newcastle United 1 , Manchester United 1
HT 1-1

Newcastle recorded a first league double over Manchester United since 1930-31

Neil Johnston
BBC Sport journalist


Newcastle United strengthened their push for a Champions League spot in the absence of unwell boss Eddie Howe with a crushing win over Manchester United at St James' Park.

Howe was admitted to hospital on Friday having felt unwell for a number of days.

Assistants Jason Tindall and Graeme Jones took charge against the Red Devils and the players responded with an exceptional performance as they recorded a first league double over their opponents since the 1930-31 campaign.

Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim dropped first-choice goalkeeper Andre Onana after his two mistakes against Lyon in Thursday's 2-2 Europa League quarter-final first-leg draw, but replacement Altay Bayındır was guilty of a serious error to seal an easy home win.

The Turkey international clipped a ball straight to Joelinton who headed into the path of Bruno Guimaraes to make it 4-1 in the 77th minute.

By then, though, Newcastle were in complete command.

They were the better side from the first minute to the last and opened the scoring when Alexander Isak's lobbed pass over the visiting defence ended with Sandro Tonali finding the net.

Italy midfielder Tonali went close to doubling the lead from distance, while Bayındır did well to deny Isak, before Manchester United equalised against the run of play.

Alejandro Garnacho kept his composure eight minutes before the break to shoot beyond Nick Pope for his side's first goal in three top-flight games.

But Newcastle moved up to fourth spot - just a point behind third-placed Nottingham Forest - when Harvey Barnes put the game out of reach with two second-half goals.

After tapping home Jacob Murphy's pass across the six-yard area to make it 2-1 in the 49th minute, Barnes produced a ruthless finish 15 minutes later after a slip by Noussair Mazraoui. Bayindir's howler compounded United's misery on Tyneside.

United, who lost Joshua Zirkzee to a suspected hamstring injury, dropped below Everton on goal difference to 14th in the table - and just three points off fourth-bottom West Ham - after a 10th defeat in 21 Premier League games under Amorim.

 

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'Arsenal are in a fantastic position'​

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

Paul: As an Arsenal fan, I am starting to worry about tomorrow night. Do you think I am overreacting?

Hi, Paul. I totally get it. You’re a fan and fans invariably fear the worst.

I accept Real Madrid are one of the team you would not be surprised to see turn around a 3-0 first leg loss – but what would you have said if I’d given you a 3-0 Arsenal win before that first game? You’d have bitten my hand off.

I understand your concerns but Arsenal are in a fantastic position.

Champions League is 'extremely difficult to navigate'
​

Phil McNulty Q&A

Anon: Do you think that clubs like PSG, who don't need to worry about getting a Champions League place, are learning to adjust so they peak at the right time to potentially win Champions League? Only one team has been consistently excellent in the Champions League this season (Barcelona). Keeping up that level of excellence over an entire season is extraordinarily difficult, partially explains why some outstanding teams didn't win it.

I just think PSG have developed – full stop. They used to be a collection of individuals such as Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi. They are now a team, the real deal in my opinion.

I agree about maintaining a level of excellence and the new format threw up some interesting draws such as Manchester City v Real Madrid and PSG v Liverpool – so there were two potential winners (Liverpool more likely than City given form this season) who went out.

It is an incredibly difficult competition to navigate.

 

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Mbappe leading RM comeback charge​

They will face Arsenal in the second leg at Santiago Bernabéu

AFP
April 16, 2025

Real Madrid’s French forward Kylian Mbappe is hoping for a magical Champions League night against Arsenal. Photo: AFP


Kylian Mbappe joined Real Madrid in search of Champions League glory, hoping to be on the right side of exactly the kind of magical night they need against Arsenal on Wednesday if they are to progress to the semi-finals.

The Gunners lead 3-0 after dismantling the holders in London last week in the quarter-final first leg, leaving Madrid craving the sort of dramatic comeback the 15-time winners are renowned for.

Returning from a three-goal defeat would be step further than anything Los Blancos have managed so far, but that is precisely why they tried to lure Mbappe to the club for years.

The French superstar's explosive edge gives Madrid hope of achieving what appears to be borderline impossible.

"Of course we can," said Mbappe on his way out of the Emirates last Tuesday, heading to the team bus after Arsenal's stunning victory.

Declan Rice struck two sublime free-kicks and Mikel Merino's third helped Mikel Arteta's side put one foot in the final four.

Arsenal will be fully aware the job is not yet complete, having seen Mbappe's devastating impact against Premier League champions Manchester City earlier this season.

Mbappe netted a hat-trick against Pep Guardiola's side in February at the Santiago Bernabeu in the play-off round, helping Madrid eliminate City 6-3 on aggregate.

The striker was sent off for a wild challenge against Alaves in La Liga on Sunday, putting his team-mates under pressure, but can make it up to them with a special performance at the Santiago Bernabeu against Arsenal.

Madrid scraped a 1-0 win and Mbappe only played 38 minutes before his dismissal, so he should be fresh for Wednesday.

Mbappe has 33 goals in 49 games across all competitions this season, matching Madrid's all-time top goalscorer Cristiano Ronaldo's tally in his first season at the club.

'Big night'

Mbappe failed to lift the Champions League trophy with Paris Saint-Germain during his seven seasons at the club and in 2022, was on the sharp end of a spectacular Real Madrid comeback.

PSG led 1-0 from the last 16 first leg, with Mbappe on target, and he netted his second goal of the tie to give the French side the lead at the Bernabeu.

It sparked Real Madrid into life and a remarkable 17-minute Karim Benzema hat-trick turned the tie around and powered Los Blancos into the quarter-finals, on the way to lifting the trophy.

Mbappe said his treble against Man City was exactly the kind of night he was craving.

"I've been dreaming of moments like this since I was a kid, to play for this club and to feel what it's like on a big night at the Bernabeu," said the Frenchman.

"A lot of people have told me about it, but now I've seen it with my own eyes, and I hope we'll have many more."

In 2022 Madrid made a stunning comeback to beat Man City despite trailing 5-3 on aggregate in the final minutes of the semi-final second leg, progressing 6-5 in the end.

Perhaps their most important comeback came in the 2014 final against rivals Atletico, trailing 1-0 until Sergio Ramos headed home in the 93rd minute to force extra-time, with Los Blancos winning 4-1 to claim 'La Decima', their 10th Champions League trophy.

They also overcame a 2-0 quarter-final first leg deficit against Wolfsburg in 2016, winning the second leg 3-0 with a Ronaldo hat-trick.

Mbappe would dearly love to emulate the Portuguese forward's feat against Arsenal.

"At the Santiago Bernabeu, comebacks are always on everyone's lips," said Ronaldo.

Madrid and comebacks have been synonomous since the 1980s when winger Juanito was involved in several, including the UEFA Cup semi-finals in 1985.

"90 minutes at the Bernabeu is a long time," he warned Inter Milan after the hosts won the first leg 2-0 in Italy, with Madrid going on to triumph 3-0 on their way to glory.

Mbappe came to Madrid to add to their rich history and Arsenal's visit presents the ideal opportunity.

"We have to believe, we have to have confidence," said coach Carlo Ancelotti last week. "Because sometimes, quite often at the Bernabeu, it happens."

 

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Fri 18 Apr 2025
‧
Championship
Sheffield United 2 , Cardiff City 0 at Full time

2

0

Full time


Half Time Sheffield United 1 , Cardiff City 0

Key Events​

Sheffield United​

• G. Hamer (33')Goal 33 minutes
• B. Brereton (87')Goal 87 minutes

Cardiff City​

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Venue: Bramall Lane


Attendance:28,201

 

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'More than a miracle' - how Man Utd won in remarkable extra time​

Image source,Getty Images
Image caption,

Manchester United scored three goals in seven minutes to turn the tie around


Alex Brotherton
BBC Sport journalist
18 April 2025

There were 109 minutes on the clock at Old Trafford when Lyon forward Alexandre Lacazette effectively ended Manchester United's season.

Thousands of fans headed for the exits with United 4-2 down on the night, 6-4 on aggregate, 11 minutes left. Game over.

"United need more than a miracle," Rio Ferdinand said on TNT Sports commentary.
Then the miracle unfolded.

Image source,Getty Images
Image caption,

With 11 minutes left, it looked more likely that Lyon would score again than United would produce a comeback

But as the famous song goes, Man Utd will never die.

Bruno Fernandes, perhaps the only United player to have done himself justice this season, pulled one back from the penalty spot after Casemiro was kicked during a frantic scrabble. Six minutes remaining.

Image source,Getty Images
Image caption,

Bruno Fernandes converted his penalty before grabbing the ball and rushing back to the centre circle for the restart

In the 120th minute, substitute Kobbie Mainoo cut inside his man and bent a stunning, curling strike into the bottom far corner.

It's been a difficult campaign for the young England midfielder after shooting to stardom last season, but this was a moment befitting of his quality.
All square on the night and on aggregate. Penalties looming, six weeks after suffering shootout elimination in the FA Cup.

Image source,Getty Images
Image caption,

Mainoo's second goal in all competitions this season will be long remembered
Not today said Harry Maguire, the ultimate scapegoat figure of United's steady decline who continues to step up in big moments.

Less than a minute after Mainoo struck, Maguire was wheeling away in delerious celebration after heading in the winner. Bedlam.

"I've never seen anything like that as a spectator. It was an amazing thing. We saw so many fans leaving when it was 4-2 and you thought that was over," former United defender Rio Ferdinand said on TNT Sports.

"I said on commentary it would take more than a miracle to get back into it and now I'm actually a believer because that was outrageous."

Image source,Getty Images
Image caption,

Maguire rose to score on 120+1 minutes, just a minute after Mainoo

Image source,Getty Images
Image caption,
Maguire's winning goal caused chaos at Old Trafford

'I have seen nothing like it'​

Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson was similarly gobsmacked on BBC Radio 5 Live.
"The scenes inside Old Trafford are something else," he said.
"I have seen nothing like it. Bedlam. The stewards are on the pitch, fans are on the pitch and staff are on the pitch. Andre Onana is doing laps of celebrations. Old Trafford has not seen scenes like this for many a year.
"I don't think I have ever seen a game like that. They looked dead and buried. I have not seen that character from them all season.

"Superlatives, you run out of them."

Never before have five goals been scored during a period of extra time in a European knockout fixture.

United's comeback was as ludicrous as it was improbable, but when the Theatre of Dreams is concerned, strange things have been known to happen.

"You've seen special things happen at this club. I think back to the Ole Gunnar Solskjaer against Liverpool [in 1999]. It reminded me slightly, I know that's only 2-1 and this was 5-4," said former United midfielder Paul Scholes on TNT Sports.

"I always feel like when you get one here you've got a chance."

Perhaps United defender Leny Yoro summed it up best.

"Honestly, I don't understand what's happened. It was crazy! The fans helped us to do it. When you hear the fans, even at 4-2 you know we can do it," he told TNT Sports.

"We needed to believe and if you don't believe you cannot win. This is what the fans deserve - they give everything at every game."

United are 14th in the Premier League and will finish the season with their lowest-ever Premier League points tally.

But now they have something to play for. Get past Athletic Bilbao in the semi-finals next month, and they will contest the final at Bilbao's San Mames.

Win that and they will play in the Champions League next season.

Fans won't be thinking about that though - they'll be reliving the scenes at Old Trafford on Thursday for years to come.

 

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Liverpool braced for Premier League title party​

AFP
April 26, 2025

Liverpool have one hand on the Premier League trophy as they seek the solitary point they need against struggling Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday that would guarantee a record-equalling 20th English title.

A draw at an expectant Anfield would take Arne Slot’s men 13 points clear of Arsenal with just four games remaining, meaning they could not be caught.

Below them, Chelsea and Newcastle United have the chance to press their case for Champions League qualification with Manchester City, Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa all involved in the FA Cup semi-finals.

At the bottom of the table, Ipswich Town’s fate could be sealed.

It is tough to see struggling Tottenham delaying Liverpool’s title party at Anfield.

After Arsenal’s home draw against Crystal Palace in midweek, Arne Slot’s men just need a draw to seal the deal and pull level with bitter rivals Manchester United on 20 English titles.

Out-of-form Tottenham are 16th in the league table and have a miserable record at Anfield — not winning there since 2011.

Liverpool won the reverse fixture this season 6-3 and were 4-1 winners on aggregate in their two-legged League Cup semi-final.

Captain Virgil van Dijk said it had been an “outstanding season” but that there was still work to do after Liverpool’s 1-0 at Leicester last week.

“Now we have the chance to finish it off on the weekend against a very good Tottenham, in my opinion,” he said. “We played three times already against them this season and every game was very intense. To be in this position now, it’s a good position but we’re not there yet.

“We all have to realise that and we will. We’ll make sure of that. It’s a good week of preparation and then we have to be ready.”

Meanwhile, just four points separate third-placed Manchester City from Aston Villa in seventh in the race for Champions League spots next season.

For the first time the Premier League’s top five will all qualify for Europe’s top club competition, due to strong performances in continental competition.

Liverpool are already guaranteed a spot and Arsenal, 10 points clear of Chelsea in sixth, are practically there, leaving three places open.

City stole a march this week in the mini-league with a last-gasp win against Villa after Nottingham Forest, now fourth, beat Tottenham on Monday.

Villa play Crystal Palace in the FA Cup semi-finals on Saturday, with Forest taking on City the following day at Wembley.

It means Newcastle, who could have Eddie Howe back on the touchline after a bout of pneumonia, would leapfrog City if they beat lowly Ipswich.

Chelsea badly need to beat Everton at home with a tough run of games to come against Liverpool, Newcastle, Manchester United and Forest.

Southampton’s 1-1 draw at West Ham United last week meant they drew level with Derby’s record-low points tally of 11 from the 2007/08 season, with five games to go to better the Rams’ total.

But it will be of limited comfort after a miserable season for Saints, who were relegated earlier this month.

Leicester City are already down and Ipswich appear certain to follow them barring a miracle — a draw for West Ham at Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday would seal their fate.

It would be the second successive season in which all three promoted clubs had been relegated straight back to the Championship.

Prior to the 2023/24 campaign, this had last occurred in 1997/98.

All the evidence points to a worrying and widening chasm between English football’s top two tiers as the season nears its end.

FA CUP

Palace have never won the FA Cup, Villa last lifted the trophy in 1957 and Forest have not managed it since 1959 but all three clubs go into the semi-finals genuinely believing this could be their year.

City, who face Forest on Sunday, make up the quartet and would ordinarily be huge favourites to win the historic knockout competition for the eighth time.

But with Pep Guardiola’s City experiencing a disappointing campaign, it looks wide open.

Palace face Villa on Saturday while City are aiming for a third straight appearance in the final, having won and lost the title match to Manchester United over the past two years.

Premier League fixtures: Saturday (1400 GMT unless stated): Chelsea v Everton (1130), Brighton and Hove Albion v West Ham United, Newcastle United v Ipswich Town, Southampton v Fulham, Wolverhampton Wanderers v Leicester City; Sunday Bournemouth v Manchester United (1300), Liverpool v Tottenham Hotspur (1530).

FA Cup semi-finals fixtures: Saturday: Crystal Palace v Aston Villa (1615 GMT); Sunday: Nottingham Forest v Manchester City (1530 GMT).

Published in Dawn, April 26th, 2025