Author: WTX Sports Team

Olivier Giroud stars as emergency goalkeeper in AC Milan victory against Genoa The Metro says A late goal by Christian Pulisic earned AC Milan a 1-0 win at Genoa that put them top of Serie A on Saturday as striker Olivier Giroud went in goal after keeper Mike Maignan was sent off in stoppage time. The game took a chaotic turn when Milan goalkeeper Maignan saw red for a foul on Caleb Ekuban late in stoppage time. Former Arsenal and Chelsea striker Giroud donned the gloves with Genoa’s Albert Gudmundsson then crashing a free kick against the bar from the…

Arsenal defender William Saliba withdraws from France squad with ‘chronic’ toe injury The Metro says Arsenal defender William Saliba has withdrawn from the France squad after suffering a toe injury. The 22-year-old turned in an excellent display as Arsenal beat Manchester City 1-0 at the Emirates on Sunday to move joint top of the Premier League alongside Tottenham. Shortly after full-time, the French Football Federation confirmed the centre-half has been replaced in Didier Deschamps’ squad by Nice star Jean-Clair Todibo ahead of the European qualifier against Netherlands and friendly with Scotland. A statement described the problem as a ‘chronic injury’…

Wayne Rooney reveals he rejected job offer ‘close to home’ as he explains DC United exit The Metro says Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has explained his decision to leave MLS side DC United after just over a year and has revealed that he turned down a job offer ‘close to his home’ last month. Although DC United signed off the season with a 2-0 victory over New York City FC, results elsewhere meant they were unable to make the MLS Playoffs. In his post-match press conference, Rooney, who was linked with the Birmingham job last month, announced he had…

Max Verstappen clinches 2023 Formula 1 title after coming second in Qatar sprint race The Metro says Max Verstappen has won the Formula One drivers’ championship for the third year in a row after finishing second in Saturday’s Sprint race in Qatar. The Dutchman came into this weekend with the chance to wrap up the title, something that has been an inevitability since the very first few races of the season. Red Bull’s RB19 is one of the most dominant F1 cars of all-time, having won 15 of the 16 grand prix so far, with 13 of those victories going…

Jurgen Klopp reacts to ‘mistakes’ Alexis Mac Allister made in Brighton draw and shares thoughts on possible red card The Metro says Jurgen Klopp played down Alexis Mac Allister’s ‘mistakes’ following Liverpool’s 2-2 draw at Brighton and shared his thoughts on a possible red card for Pascal Gross, which was not given. The Reds came from behind to lead 2-1 at the Amex on Sunday and looked on course for three points before Lewis Dunk’s 78th-minute equaliser secured a point for the Seagulls. Liverpool went 1-0 down in the first-half when Mac Allister – who left Brighton for the Reds…

Erling Haaland HELD BACK in furious clash between Man City and Arsenal staff after Sunday’s showdown The Metro says Erling Haaland had to be held back as staff from Manchester City and Arsenal clashed at full-time following Sunday’s intense meeting at the Emirates. The Gunners recorded a 1-0 victory over their Premier League title rivals as Gabriel Martinelli scored an 86th-minute winner in dramatic scenes. Emotions spilled over after the final whistle as the two teams and their respective staff walked into the tunnel, with Haaland seen being held back by City staff while his team-mate Kyle Walker was kept…

Gabriel Martinelli’s late goal sees Arsenal end their Man City hoodoo The Metro says Arsenal have finally ended their Manchester City hoodoo with a huge 1-0 victory over their title rivals at the Emirates on Sunday. Gabriel Martinelli scored late as the Gunners, who were without Buyako Saka, leapfrogged Pep Guardiola’s side in the table and moved up to second behind leaders Tottenham, ending a run of 12 straight league defeats against City. The result marks also revenge for Arsenal after they narrowly missed out on last season’s Premier League title to City, who ended up landing a famous treble.…

WSL: It is time to grow the league to 18 teams, says Emma Hayes BBC Sport says Chelsea manager Emma Hayes wants the Women’s Super League to be increased to 18 teams. The league is currently comprised of 12 teams, meaning each club plays a 22-match campaign. Chelsea, the defending champions, won last season’s title by two points but Hayes says an increase in teams would boost the “unpredictability” of the league. “It’s time to grow. It’s time to go from 12 to 16 or 18 teams,” she said. The champions opened their title defence with a 2-1 win against…

Ireland 36-14 Scotland: ‘Irish top pool in style to set up biggest challenge yet’ BBC Sport says This time, there was to be no heart-stopping climax at the Stade de France. Two weeks ago, the rugby world was gripped right to the end as Ireland edged past holders South Africa in a heavyweight World Cup showdown that lit up the tournament. On Saturday, however, the world’s number one side thought better of giving their fans another nail-biting conclusion as they dispatched Scotland from the competition on another night of Irish joy in the French capital. Ireland wasted no time laying…

Rugby World Cup: England sleepwalk into last eight with Samoa escape BBC Sport says Owen Farrell leads the on-pitch debrief after England’s one-point win over Samoa. “That’s not good enough.” Owen Farrell’s verdict was emphatic. In public at least though, it was aimed at himself, rather than England as a whole. The captain had been asked about the moment deep in the second half, with his team 17-11 adrift, when he had lined up a straightforward penalty. With the shot clock ticking down on the big screen, Bernard Foley’s costly dawdling against the All Blacks knocking around somewhere in his…

England ‘doubly excited’ for Bangladesh after opening loss, insists Livingstone The Guardian says Since their humbling defeat by New Zealand last Thursday England have relocated to Dharamshala, on the slopes of the Lesser Himalayas, knowing a second successive defeat at the start of their World Cup campaign would leave them with a mountain to climb. But instead of nerves, the situation as they prepare to face Bangladesh on Tuesday has, according to Liam Livingstone, made the players “doubly excited”. It is not that the altitude – at 1,457m above sea level the HPCA Stadium is the highest international cricket ground…

Max Verstappen rewrites rules of F1 dominance in cruise to third title The Guardian says there has been little doubt for a long time that Max Verstappen held a third Formula One world championship in his hands. Now the Dutchman has sealed the deal in Qatar after a season in which no other driver has had so much as a look-in, the nature of his relentless drive to the title can be fully appreciated. Some in the paddock even consider this the “Verstappen era”, and the 26-year-old has made a convincing case to be considered among the greats. Verstappen has…

Protest and resist: fans in Scandinavia lead backlash against VAR The Guardian says As soon as the first whistle blew in Stabæk’s home game against Viking, the hardcore of their support began filtering out of the stand. Tucked away in another section, the visitors’ fans remained in their places but observed a vow of silence. Play continued in an outwardly unremarkable Norwegian top-flight game midway through July, fogged slightly by smoke from flares being let off outside. The last of Stabæk’s hardcore drifted out to reveal a banner, hung along the back of the terrace, that displayed their frustration in…

Simone Biles crowned all-around world champion for a record sixth time The Guardian says In the two years since Simone Biles returned home from the Olympics mentally and physically empty, it has taken everything for her to make it back to the top. She first had to withdraw from her sport in order to heal, with many hours spent in therapy. Since her return, she has thrown herself back in like never before. It is a result of that hard work, commitment and mental strength, as well as her unparalleled talent, that Biles is once again, officially, the best gymnast…

‘We need to win the league’: City aim to end Chelsea’s WSL dominance The Guardian says For Gareth Taylor, the definition of success has narrowed. “It means winning the WSL this season,” says Manchester City’s manager. “We need to win the league. We’ve looked at it and we feel we can achieve it.” After last season’s fourth-place finish, Taylor is on a mission to end Chelsea’s run of four successive Women’s Super League titles, with that project’s feasibility facing an early stress test when Emma Hayes’s formidable team visit what they now call the Joie Stadium on Sunday. City are…

Newcastle enjoyed a dream return to the Champions League at St James’ Park as Paris Saint-Germain were humbled in a 4-1 victory for the Magpies on Wednesday.

Another game ruined by VAR as Liverpool denied by a ‘Spurs fan in VAR’ after a game where 3 major VAR decisions were all wrong and against Liverpool. LFC are exploring the potential of further legal and non-legal actions against the PGMOL, whom they believe have an agenda against LFC and Jurgen Klopp. What happened in the game – The Var Controversy In a game filled with VAR drama, Liverpool found themselves on the wrong side of three highly debated decisions, two red cards, and a disallowed goal. Causing frustration among players and fans and sparking a wider conversation about…

Jamie Carragher explains why Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool snubbed move for Tottenham star James Maddison The Metro says Jamie Carragher has explained why Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool decided not to sign Tottenham star James Maddison. Maddison moved to Spurs in a £40m deal this summer following Leicester City’s shock relegation from the Premier League. The England international midfielder was linked to several other clubs before heading to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Following the 26-year-old’s bright start under Ange Postecoglou – with two goals and four assists in his first six Premier League games for Spurs – questions have been raised…

Getafe blast rival fans for chanting ‘Greenwood, die’ at Mason Greenwood The Metro says Getafe have slammed rival supporters who chant for Mason Greenwood to ‘die’ during La Liga matches after the on-loan Manchester United forward was targeted once again on Wednesday evening. The 21-year-old joined Getafe on loan in the final hour of the summer transfer window after United held an internal investigation and concluded that the forward should restart his career elsewhere following his arrest in January 2022 for attempted rape, controlling behaviour and assault. Greenwood, who had all charges against him dropped in February, was targeted by…

Jurgen Klopp gives injury update on Trent Alexander-Arnold ahead of Liverpool vs Tottenham The Metro says Trent Alexander-Arnold is back in full training after injury – and is set to play in Liverpool’s huge match at Tottenham, according to Jurgen Klopp. Liverpool travel to north London on Saturday evening in what should be an epic clash between two of the Premier League’s most in-form teams. Both sides are unbeaten after six games and among the league’s top scorers, with the Reds second in the table, just two points ahead of Spurs. Klopp’s side has been largely injury free so far…

Man Utd confirm Antony return amid domestic abuse allegations The Metro says Manchester United have confirmed that Antony has returned to training and is available for selection amid allegations he domestically abused his former girlfriend. Antony’s former partner, Gabriela Cavallin, has alleged that she has been physically attacked by the 23-year-old on multiple occasions during their time together in Manchester and in their native Brazil. Antony, who denies the accusations made by Cavallin, was been placed on an indefinite leave of absence by United. But United have now welcomed him back while ‘police inquiries proceed’ into his actions.

Eddie Howe issues injury update on Alexander Isak, Sven Botman and Callum Wilson after Newcastle United beat Manchester City The Metro says Eddie Howe says he is hopeful over Alexander Isak’s injury after the striker was forced off in Newcastle United’s 1-0 victory over Manchester City in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday evening. Isak scored Newcastle’s winning goal in the second half at St James’ Park, while Howe’s side will now play Manchester United in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup. But Newcastle were dealt a blow when Isak was replaced in the 62nd minute due to a calf…

Ryder Cup 2023: Europe make perfect start against USA on day one The Guardian says That’s the first time Europe have whitewashed – bluewashed? – the opening session of a Ryder Cup. It’s the first session clean sweep since Europe won the afternoon foursomes 4-0 on the first day at Le Golf National in 2018. For the record, the USA have won the opening session 4-0 on two occasions, against Great Britain at Portland GC in 1947 and against Great Britain and Ireland at Laurel Valley in 1975. So this isn’t unprecedented in Ryder Cup history … but it is…

Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton bring ‘fire’ to Europe’s Ryder Cup bid The Independent says The raucous first tee at the Ryder Cup provides the perfect opportunity to launch Team Angry and spark Europe into life in Rome. Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton, paired together by Luke Donald due to their “fire and passion,” bring an intimidating challenge for world No 1 Scottie Scheffler, after recent struggles with the putter, and Sam Burns in a mouthwatering first match of the week. A scorching Marco Simone has made for a peaceful build up as both teams meandered down the steep slopes…

Ryder Cup 2023 foursomes: Europe and US reveal opening pairings in Rome BBC Sport says Ludvig Aberg has been thrust straight into Ryder Cup action by being paired with Viktor Hovland in Friday’s opening session against the United States. The 23-year-old Swede, who only turned professional in June, will partner Hovland for Europe against US rookies Brian Harman and Max Homa in Rome. Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood face Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay in arguably the match of the morning. The US are defending champions but have not won on European soil for 30 years. In the first match,…