Sports

Newcastle United suffers their first UCL defeat

Published

1 year ago

October 26, 2023

Newcastle United suffers their first UCL defeat

NEWCASTLE United suffered the first defeat of their Champions League campaign as Borussia Dortmund secured a vital victory on a rain-soaked night at St James’ Park.

Eddie Howe’s side started their return to Europe’s elite competition in impressive fashion with a draw against AC Milan in San Siro before a memorable thrashing of Paris St-Germain on Tyneside.

Newcastle, however, could not rediscover that same intensity while Dortmund belied their status as Group F’s bottom side prior to the game with an impressive display and secured victory through Felix Nmecha’s composed finish in first-half added time.

Howe’s side had their chances though, with Dortmund keeper Gregor Kobel thwarting Anthony Gordon twice and saving brilliantly from substitute Callum Wilson after the break.

They also came desperately close to claiming a point in the closing stages when Wilson’s header hit the bar and Gordon’s shot was deflected on to the frame of the goal with seconds remaining.

Dortmund kept Newcastle keeper Nick Pope busy too, particularly with an outstanding double save from Donyell Malen and Niclas Fullkrug in the first half.

The result has turned this group into a tense and tight one, with Newcastle hoping for better fortune in their next game in Dortmund next month.

Newcastle’s drenched players trooped off disconsolate at the final whistle, a sharp contrast to their elation at the end of the magnificent 4-1 win against PSG in their last home Champions League game.

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They did not perform badly. They simply did not meet the same standard of the night against the French side, helped by a fast start and an intensity that stunned PSG. They were also up against a streetwise Dortmund side boasting experience as well as energy.

Dortmund were far more dangerous and composed than PSG, dealing comfortably with the Tyneside atmosphere and giving their own noisy supporters plenty to cheer.

Newcastle were also disrupted by an early injury to striker Alexander Isak, although Wilson was dangerous when he came on and could easily have got on the scoresheet.

Howe will also point to cruel luck and curse the woodwork at the end, but overall Newcastle had a learning experience.

The defeat is unquestionably a setback for Newcastle, especially as they knew another win here would leave them sitting pretty in Group F and locked firmly on course for the Champions League knockout stage.

But Howe will not be panicking after one loss, and nor should he.

They now sit level on points with Borussia Dortmund but in third place in the group, which serves to increase the importance of their return match in Germany.

Newcastle have certainly made life tougher for themselves with the fixtures to come but they are right in the fight to reach the last 16, even if there will have been an immediate post-match feeling that this was a chance that got away.

Newcastle United suffers their first UCL defeat

Sports

Newcastle stun Liverpool to secure Carabao Cup victory

Published

4 days ago

March 17, 2025

Trends Admin

Newcastle stun Liverpool to secure Carabao Cup victory

Newcastle United clinched their first domestic trophy in 70 years with a stunning 2-1 victory over Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley on Sunday. Goals from Dan Burn and Alexander Isak sealed a historic win, igniting celebrations among the club’s passionate supporters.

Defender Burn put Newcastle ahead just before halftime, powering in a header from a corner to send the black-and-white-clad fans into raptures

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Buoyed by their lead, Newcastle doubled their advantage in the 52nd minute when Swedish forward Isak coolly slotted the ball past Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher.

Premier League leaders Liverpool pulled one back deep into stoppage time through Federico Chiesa, but it was too little, too late as Eddie Howe’s side held firm to lift their first major domestic trophy since 1955.

Newcastle stun Liverpool to secure Carabao Cup victory

Sports

EPL: Merino header gives Arsenal slim win over Chelsea

Published

5 days ago

March 16, 2025

Trends Admin

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

Published

5 days ago

March 16, 2025

Trends Admin

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.