Sports
Man Utd claim League Cup triumph after beating Newcastle at Wembley

Manchester United have won their first trophy since 2017, with the Red Devils beating fellow Premier League outfit Newcastle United 2-0 in the final of the EFL Cup at Wembley on Sunday afternoon.
Ahead of the match, Manchester United’s last piece of silverware had been the Europa League six years ago.
But a two-goal success over the Magpies secured Erik ten Hag’s first trophy since arriving as head coach last summer.
Newcastle were searching for their first piece of major silverware since 1955, but Eddie Howe’s side found themselves two goals down at the interval, with Casemiro making the breakthrough before Marcus Rashford had a shot deflected past Loris Karius by Sven Botman.
Man United co-owner Avram Glazer was in attendance at Wembley amid the ongoing speculation surrounding the ownership of the club, who are still on for a quadruple this season due to their presence in the FA Cup and Europa League.
Rashford was named in the starting XI despite concerns over an injury that he picked up against Barcelona in the Europa League, while Diogo Dalot and Antony came into the side following Thursday’s European counter with the La Liga leaders.
Newcastle’s headline team news involved their goalkeeper, with Karius making his debut for the club and first competitive appearance in 728 days due to Nick Pope (suspended) and Martin Dubravka (ineligible) both being unavailable.
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A lively start in the English capital saw both teams commit players forward in early attacks, with Rashford and Antony bright for Man United, while Allan Saint-Maximin and Miguel Almiron were involved for the magpies.
Dalot picked up the game’s first yellow card for hacking Saint-Maximin to the ground in the ninth minute, leaving the Portugal international in a difficult situation with a lot of football left to play.
The first chance of the match came for Wout Weghorst in the 13th minute when he worked some space inside the Newcastle box, but the on-loan Man United striker could not find a route past Karius.
Another half-chance came for the Red Devils in the 15th minute when Dalot delivered a dangerous low cross into the Newcastle box, but Fabian Schar just about did enough to make the clearance, before Karius comfortably kept out an effort from Antony.
Man United goalkeeper David de Gea made a big save to keep out a low strike from Saint-Maximin in the 32nd minute after a low Sean Longstaff cross had caused problems inside the Red Devils penalty box.
Ten Hag’s side took the lead in the 33rd minute of the contest, though, with Casemiro heading a Luke Shaw free kick into the back of the net.
There was a lengthy VAR check for a possible offside, but the goal stood, with the 20-time English champions making the breakthrough in the EFL Cup final.
Almiron scooped one over the crossbar in the 38th minute as the visitors looked to respond, but Man United scored their second less than one minute later.
Rashford proved his fitness in the build-up to kickoff, and the forward helped the Red Devils take a two-goal lead when he collected a pass from Weghorst before beating Karius, with a deflection off Botman making it difficult for the Newcastle goalkeeper.
The Magpies had an opportunity to halve the deficit in the 43rd minute when Dan Burn nodded an Almiron cross towards goal, but his effort was just wide of the post, before Karius did well to keep out a powerful Weghorst drive in the latter stages of the first period.
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Man United had a chance to score a third early in the second half when Rashford found Fred just outside the Newcastle box, but the Brazilian placed the ball wide of the post, before Karius kept out a strike from Antony.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka was introduced for Dalot at the break, with the latter on a yellow card, and the Englishman made some important interceptions during a period of pressure from Newcastle.
Bruno Fernandes had a long-range strike deflected high of the crossbar, before Karius saved from Weghorst from the resulting corner, with Man United looking for a third, which would surely have ended the contest.
Newcastle were putting the pressure on down the other end, but Howe’s side were struggling to carve out clear chances, with Man United defending their penalty box extremely well.
Saint-Maximin was a constant threat, but Wan-Bissaka was proving equal to the challenge, with the right-back impressively adapting to the pace of the match after entering at the break.
Joelinton had a powerful drive blocked away by Lisandro Martinez, with the Red Devils dropping deeper and deeper, which led to two substitutions being made.
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Scott McTominay and Marcel Sabitzer both came off the Man United bench 20 minutes from time, with Fred and Weghorst leaving the field at Wembley, which saw Rashford go through the middle.
De Gea did well to make contact on a dangerous Trippier cross in the 72nd minute before Casemiro cleared inside a crowded box, but the offside flag was raised, before Karius denied Rashford down the other end.
The pressure from the Magpies, as expected, continued in the final stages, but Man United stood up to the challenge, with De Gea performing well under pressure; Wan-Bissaka had a chance to make it 3-0 four minutes from time, but his low effort was saved by Karius.
Jacob Murphy just missed the target with a brilliant low strike late on, before De Gea saved late from Joelinton, but it was not to be for Newcastle, who will now focus on their top-four challenge in the Premier League.
Man United, who had a big chance to score a third late on through Fernandes, have won the League Cup for the sixth time in their history, and they are also still active in the FA Cup and Europa League in what could be a very successful first season at the helm for Ten Hag.
Next up for the Red Devils is a home game against West Ham United in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Wednesday, while Newcastle will continue their Premier League game away to the champions Manchester City next weekend.
Sports
EPL: Merino header gives Arsenal slim win over Chelsea

EPL: Merino header gives Arsenal slim win over Chelsea
Chelsea’s challenge for a place in next season’s Champions League faltered in a toothless 1-0 defeat at Arsenal on Sunday as Fulham beat Tottenham 2-0.
Mikel Merino scored the only goal of a disappointing contest at the Emirates as Arsenal pulled clear in second place and to within 12 points of runaway leaders Liverpool.
Chelsea badly missed the presence of the absent Cole Palmer due to illness as they meekly surrendered to a damaging defeat for their hopes of a top-four finish.
The Blues remain in fourth for now but have five sides from Manchester City in fifth to Aston Villa in ninth within four points of Enzo Maresca’s team.
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Arsenal have struggled badly for goals since the loss of Kai Havertz to a season-ending injury has forced midfielder Merino into a makeshift centre-forward role.
The Spanish international proved the match winner from a corner as he looped a header from Martin Odegaard’s delivery inside the far post on 20 minutes.
Chelsea barely threatened but were nearly gifted a route back into the game when David Raya fumbled Marc Cucurella’s shot and the ball trickled wide.
At the other end, Chelsea’s Robert Sanchez made a brilliant stop to prevent Merino doubling Arsenal’s lead with the best effort of the second half.
But the game petered out with little goalmouth action as a limp performance will do little to quieten the critics of Maresca’s style of play among the Chelsea support.
EPL: Merino header gives Arsenal slim win over Chelsea
Sports
Chelsea beat Man City to win Women’s League Cup

Chelsea beat Man City to win Women’s League Cup
Chelsea edged past Manchester City in the Women’s League Cup final to win their first trophy under Sonia Bompastor and keep their bid for a historic quadruple alive.
Bompastor has exceeded expectations since succeeding Emma Hayes as head coach last May, winning 26 of her 28 games.
Mayra Ramirez netted an early opener for Chelsea, bundling in a rebound that bounced off City skipper Laia Aleixandri at Derby County’s Pride Park.
Aoba Fujino levelled after the break with a stunning strike, but an own goal by Yui Hasegawa restored Chelsea’s lead and ended their three-year losing streak in League Cup finals.
“It feels great, for sure. I’m really happy,” Bompastor said.
“From the beginning of the season we said we are going to be ambitious and when you have the opportunity to win a first title that is always really positive so I am really happy for that reason and I am really proud of my players.”
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City, who were playing their first game under interim boss Nick Cushing following Gareth Taylor’s sacking five days ago, dominated play after Chelsea’s opener.
But they were unable to find a way through during the first half as Chelsea’s solid centre-back paring of Millie Bright and Nathalie Bjorn stood firm, limiting City’s chances to ambitious efforts from the edge of the box.
Chelsea appeared to regain control after the interval, but Fujino’s powerful strike flew past Hannah Hampton and into the roof of the net before Hasegawa’s own goal handed momentum back to Bompastor’s side.
They remain in the hunt for the Champions League and FA Cup, while they have all but secured a sixth successive Women’s Super League (WSL) title, sitting eight points clear at the top of the table with six games remaining.
This final marked the start of an intense 12-day battle, with Chelsea and City playing each other four times in a row.
Chelsea beat Man City to win Women’s League Cup
Sports
Osimhen scores hat-trick as Galatasaray demolish Antalyaspor

Osimhen scores hat-trick as Galatasaray demolish Antalyaspor
Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen scored a hat trick as Galatasaray defeated Antalyaspor 4-0 on Friday night.
Álvaro Morata scored from the penalty spot, completing the overwhelming victory.
Osimhen opened the goal at Rams Park in the 30th minute, completing Morata’s assist.
Morata scored a penalty in the 45th minute, followed by Osimhen’s second goal assisted by B. Yılmaz three minutes later.
The Nigerian striker completed his hat trick in the 52nd minute, with an assist from Y. Akgün.
The Nigerian striker completed his hat trick in the 52nd minute, with an assist from Y. Akgün.
This hat trick brings Osimhen’s season total to 20 league goals in 22 appearances, making him the leading scorer in the Turkish Süper Lig.
Since joining Galatasaray on loan from Napoli following the fourth game of the season, Osimhen has 26 goals and 5 assists across all competitions in 30 appearances.
Galatasaray’s strong performance cements their place at the top of the Süper Lig.
Prior to this match, they lead the rankings with 68 points from 26 matches, having won 21 and drawn 5.
Their closest competitors, Fenerbahçe, have 61 points after 25 games.
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With this victory, Galatasaray expands their lead to 71 points, increasing their bid for the league championship.
According to a post-match statement on the club’s website, this was Okan Buruk’s 100th game as head coach.
“Galatasaray faced Onvo Antalyaspor in the 28th week of the Trendyol Super Lig. Our team won the match played at Ali Sami Yen Sports Complex RAMS Park with a score of 4-0.
“Our goals came from Victor Osimhen (30′, 45+3′, 52′) and Alvaro Morata (45+2′).
“Continuing their undefeated lead, the team increased its points tally to 71 and increased it to 10 with two games more than its opponent.
“Before the match, our coach Okan Buruk was presented with a plaque to commemorate his 100th match as a coach at Galatasaray,” it read.
Yunus Akgün, Lucas Torreira, and Victor Osimhen were replaced by Roland Sallai, Dries Mertens, and Mario Lemina in the 68th minute.
Muslera blocked Van de Streek’s kick for Antalyaspor in the 73rd minute.
This was Antalyaspor’s only attack in the second half, according to the club’s statement.
Kaan Ayhan replaced Davinson Sanchez in the 77th minute. In the 79th minute, Kaan Ayhan attempted to score from a free kick, but his shot was saved by custodian Piric.
In the 83rd minute, Berkan Kutlu replaced Barış Alper. In the remaining portion, we will travel to Beşiktaş with a 4-0 victory, as the positions we found with Morata and Sara yielded no results.
Osimhen scores hat-trick as Galatasaray demolish Antalyaspor
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