Month: April 2023

Carlo Ancelotti hopes Real Madrid’s embarrassing 4-2 defeat away to Girona on Tuesday serves as a wake-up call.

Madrid never led at Montilivi, falling 2-0 down inside 24 minutes thanks to a couple of goals from Taty Castellanos.

Vinicius Junior pulled one back, but Castellanos added another two in the second half before Lucas Vazquez’s late consolation.

Castellanos became the first player this century to score four goals in one LaLiga game against Madrid, and the defeat means Barcelona could extend their lead at the summit to 14 points on Wednesday.

While Madrid’s LaLiga hopes are all but over, they are into the Champions League semi-finals and final of the Copa del Rey – they still have much to play for this term, and Ancelotti hopes this defeat jolts them back into life.

Asked if the loss could be a wake-up call, Ancelotti said: “Yes, it can be, although a loss is never good.

“I reiterate the importance of defensive commitment: if we have that, we will always win, and if not, it will cost us. That is the key, our key, and today we didn’t have it.

“Of the last seven games, we kept six clean sheets, and in this game, [we conceded] four goals. I hope my players have understood. If not, I will repeat it to them every day.”

But it was not just the defence Ancelotti was frustrated by.

He found the individual level lacking across the team and felt they did not work collectively after finding themselves in trouble

“It’s tough, because when you lose it has to be tough,” he added. “The game was bad in defence and that has been the key, because we did well with the ball, especially at the beginning.

“But we weren’t forceful in duels, they caught us on two counters… and from there, everything became more difficult.

“We tried to come back individually, not as a team, because today the team has not played. The individual level was also below normal, but not just for some, rather in general. The level was very low.”

Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna is determined to reward the club’s supporters with promotion after 5,000 travelling fans cheered his team on to a 3-0 win at Barnsley.

Goals from Nathan Broadhead, George Hirst and Conor Chaplin mean the Tractor Boys will secure a return to the Championship following a four-year absence if they beat Exeter at Portman Road on Saturday.

And McKenna is determined to finish off the job and extend their 15-match unbeaten run, which is the club’s best since Bobby Robson’s team were in their pomp back in 1980.

He said: “It was a special effort from the fans tonight. They made an incredible noise and that gave us such a boost.

“It was a big game for Barnsley as well, but it felt like we had more of the crowd with us than against us.

“Hopefully, we can give them something to really celebrate soon, but there’s still a big job to do on Saturday and we know that Exeter will not give us anything.”

McKenna added that he was impressed with the manner in which his team handled the pressure of the occasion against a Barnsley team that had won their previous nine home games and were still in the running for automatic promotion.

“It was a great night for our development as a team and a really good performance,” he said.

“Barnsley is a tough place to come and the game was everything we expected.

“The first half was really intense and we had to show all types of our game before we got the two goals and then delivered an excellent second-half performance to get a really important win. We dealt really well with the emotion of the occasion even after missing the penalty.”

Home keeper Harry Isted saved Broadhead’s spot-kick at 2-0 down but it did not inspire a comeback as Barnsley’s mathematical hopes of automatic promotion were extinguished.

Barnsley boss Michael Duff still took some solace in defeat, though.

“We got beaten by a good team but, although it sounds like a stupid comment now, I thought we were the better side in the first half even though we went in 2-0 down,” he said.

“Big games, though, are decided by big moments and we conceded a goal from a set-piece and two goals from long balls straight down the pitch so, for all of their good football, we shot ourselves in the foot.

“They were poor goals which is unlike us but they took their chances and, in the moments we had, we couldn’t quite do the same. There are still lots of positives though.

“I think, at the start of the season, most people would have settled for fourth in the league, even if it’s disappointing now, because we have been chasing the top two for a long, long time.”

Woking’s hopes of booking a spot in the National League play-off semi-finals took a nosedive after Rob Harker’s first-half strike helped 10-man Halifax claim a 1-0 victory.

Harker bagged his third goal in four matches in the 21st minute with a tap-in after Woking goalkeeper Will Jaaskelainen could only parry an initial effort from Tylor Golden.

Sam Johnson denied Jim Kellermann and Rhys Browne before the break to preserve Halifax’s lead while Woking were unfortunate a couple of goalmouth scrambles went the way of the Shaymen.

Josh Casey and James Daly had penalty appeals waved away after half-time while Johnson saved well from Joe McNerney’s header before substitute Mani Dieseruvwe was shown a straight red moments after coming on for a rash challenge on McNerney in the 86th minute.

Woking could not find a way through a stout rearguard in the closing minutes, though, and remain in the play-off quarter-final spots as they sit two points behind third-placed Chesterfield.

Woking’s hopes of booking a spot in the National League play-off semi-finals took a nosedive after Rob Harker’s first-half strike helped 10-man Halifax claim a 1-0 victory.

Harker bagged his third goal in four matches in the 21st minute with a tap-in after Woking goalkeeper Will Jaaskelainen could only parry an initial effort from Tylor Golden.

Sam Johnson denied Jim Kellermann and Rhys Browne before the break to preserve Halifax’s lead while Woking were unfortunate a couple of goalmouth scrambles went the way of the Shaymen.

Josh Casey and James Daly had penalty appeals waved away after half-time while Johnson saved well from Joe McNerney’s header before substitute Mani Dieseruvwe was shown a straight red moments after coming on for a rash challenge on McNerney in the 86th minute.

Woking could not find a way through a stout rearguard in the closing minutes, though, and remain in the play-off quarter-final spots as they sit two points behind third-placed Chesterfield.

Burnley manager Vincent Kompany described their 1-0 win at Blackburn to seal the title as a “tremendous achievement.”

The Clarets were second best for two thirds of the Sky Bet Championship game but Rovers could not take advantage, only carving out half-chances for Tyrhys Dolan and Dominic Hyam.

A half-chance was all Burnley needed at Ewood Park, as Manuel Benson curled a sumptuous 66th-minute winner into the far corner – his 12th of the campaign.

After completing the double over Blackburn, Kompany lauded his players for their ability to compete defensively to win the title at the home of their greatest rivals.

He said: “I don’t know if the lads realise it. I think J-Rod (Jay Rodriguez) does. He understands what it means for the people of Burnley to win the league at Ewood Park, you couldn’t write it.

“And even the scenario of the game. After everybody’s speaking about how good we are on the ball, today to see how good we were defensively, winning challenges, second ball, crosses, everything else. That’s a side of the team I’m proud about as well.

“A day that will live forever for us and a tremendous achievement by the lads.

“There’s two awards that you win this season which is promotion and the league, and then there’s two more trophies to win, your two derbies.

“We’ve won all four this season. I know what those games have meant for me in my career.

“We’ve made memories for life. No one can take that away from us. We won the league at Ewood Park.”

Rovers are eighth, level on points with sixth-placed Sunderland. But their results, if not their performances, have tailed off badly with just one win in nine matches.

Boss Jon Dahl Tomasson felt his side were the best team and believed they were denied an added-time penalty.

He said: “Obviously when you lose a game, you are disappointed. Especially against a rival.

“I know we are in two different places. They have played Premier League the last six seasons, with the Premier League experience and parachute money.
But I think actually we were the best team today. Before they scored a brilliant goal – all the credit to the lad -they didn’t have one shot on goal.

“We were missing, because we were playing the best side in the league, the quality in the last third to create a little bit more.

“So (I’m) disappointed to concede a goal after a great performance. On the other hand, the players kept going to the end.

“I haven’t complained about referees much this season. But in the end there was a penalty with the handball again, like Coventry.

“It’s important the referee gets those moments right. That is very disappointing. The linesman could see it.”

Marcus Browne bagged a double as goal-shy Oxford finally found their scoring boots to beat Cheltenham 4-0 and bring Liam Manning his first victory since taking charge.

It was a first win in 18 games for the Us and a crucial three points in their bid to avoid relegation from League 1.

Tyler Goodrham volleyed the home side in front seven minutes before the break and Kyle Joseph converted Josh Murphy’s pass seven minutes after.

Having sent a curling 25-yard effort narrowly wide near the start, Goodrham arrived seemingly from nowhere in the 38th minute to volley home Sam Long’s cross – before having to go off injured moments later.

Cheltenham secured their League 1 safety last weekend but they were out of sorts and had only a fierce Aidan Keen drive to show for their early efforts.

At the back they were in disarray when Browne nodded in Joseph’s right-wing cross on the hour and then made it four with a brilliant individual effort five minutes later.

Joachim Andersen’s comical own goal helped put Wolves on the brink of Premier League survival.

The Crystal Palace defender’s unfortunate effort and Ruben Neves’ late penalty gave the hosts a 2-0 win and moved them nine points above the relegation zone.

They sit 13th, level on points with Palace, after a third straight home win without conceding.

It is a run which has given Julen Lopetegui’s side a platform to safety and, barring a late collapse, should see them earn a sixth straight season in the top flight.

Palace, with their own status almost assured, were no great shakes but Jose Sa still had to deny Albert Sambi Lokonga and Eberechi Eze.

The Eagles paid for presenting Wolves with goals to slip to their first defeat since Roy Hodgson’s return last month.

It took just three minutes for the hosts to grab the opener as Andersen produced one for the blooper reel.

Hugo Bueno crossed for Diego Costa to force a smart save from Sam Johnstone – but Wolves did not have to worry.

Ruben Neves swung in the resulting corner, it was allowed to bounce and Andersen failed to get his feet right as it cannoned off his knee and over the line via the bar.

An early lead left a buoyant Molineux sensing safety with Wolves having won three of their previous four home games after what seemed like a potentially damaging defeat to Bournemouth at Molineux in February.

When Palace did threaten, however briefly, Lokonga slipped in the box after being picked out by Michael Olise.

After three wins and a draw since Hodgson returned to Selhurst Park last month, Palace’s own relegation fears were almost over and it was Wolves who were on top.

Yet that intensity began to fade as Palace found a foothold and Eze shot at Sa.

Olise and Eze were finding space and Wolves were indebted to Sa as he preserved their lead three minutes before the break.

Will Hughes controlled Chris Richards’ drive to set up Lokonga from 10 yards and Sa produced a brilliant reaction stop.

Eager to make up for their slow start Palace were encouraged but failed to make any significant inroads and it took until 17 minutes from the end for them to test the goalkeeper again.

This time it was Eze’s turn to be frustrated as his fine 25-yard drive was turned over by Sa.

Wolves had struggled to rediscover their early momentum, with only Craig Dawson’s header’s threatening, but it mattered little as Palace gave them another gift in injury time.

Johnstone collected the ball from a throw in but an awful touch left the goalkeeper dangerously lunging in on Pedro Neto in the box. He was lucky to avoid a red card but was beaten low by Neves from the spot to settle the game.

Ethan Hamilton boosted Accrington’s hopes of avoiding relegation from Sky Bet League One as a 1-0 win left Bolton sweating on their play-off chances.

John Coleman’s side went into the top-versus-bottom clash on the back of four defeats, with Wanderers unbeaten in seven.

However, Hamilton earned the visitors an unlikely win with his sixth goal of the season after 42 minutes.

Hamilton nearly made it 2-0 in the second half but was denied by goalkeeper James Trafford’s fine save.

Ian Evatt’s side kicked off needing five points from their remaining three games to clinch a top-six berth.

Instead, they suffered a frustrating night against opponents they had previously beaten twice this season.

The Trotters’ mood was summed up when Danish goalkeeper Lukas Jensen produced a stunning double save from Kyle Dempsey and Shola Shoretire with 10 minutes remaining.

Despite a first ever success at the University of Bolton Stadium, Stanley stay in the bottom four, two points from safety, with Bolton still two points above seventh-placed Peterborough.

Grimsby moved up to 11th in Sky Bet League Two with a 2-0 win against mid-table Crewe at Blundell Park.

Gavan Holohan opened the scoring with a low finish after 12 minutes before Danilo Orsi sealed three points in the closing stages.

Grimsby created the first chance when Harry Clifton and Orsi played a one-two and Clifton saw his effort saved by Crewe goalkeeper Tom Booth.

Some quick-thinking from Alex Hunt set the Mariners on their way as his set-piece was played to Holohan and he drilled home.

Crewe went close to an immediate equaliser when Kelvin Mellor somehow fired wide, while Grimsby keeper Max Crocombe had to be alert to deny Daniel Agyei when his looping header appeared to be creeping in.

Evan Khouri took aim for Grimsby twice after the restart – sending one attempt over before Booth palmed another to safety.

Agyei drove into the side-netting as Crewe pushed and probed for a way back into the game, but Orsi had the final say with a glancing header.

Aston Villa continued their push for Europe as they moved up to fifth place in the Premier League with a 1-0 home victory over Fulham.

Tyrone Mings’ 21st-minute header proved enough for Unai Emery’s side in a game that saw them rarely troubled by their opponents.

Having extended their unbeaten run to 10 matches, eight of which have been wins, Villa leapfrog Tottenham into fifth, a point better off than them, ahead of Spurs hosting fourth-placed Manchester United on Thursday.

Emery has overseen some turnaround for the midlands outfit, who were 17th, outside the relegation zone on goals scored, when they lost 3-0 at Fulham in October, their final game under the Spaniard’s predecessor Steven Gerrard.

Marco Silva’s Fulham, meanwhile, remain ninth in the table.

After the Cottagers went close to taking the lead in the opening minute, Andreas Pereira sending an acrobatic effort wide, early pressure from Villa included Ashley Young’s shot deflecting behind.

Ollie Watkins went down in the box via a challenge from Tosin Adarabioyo, prompting home shouts for a penalty, but nothing was given.

Then the visitors – having already made a late change to their starting XI by replacing Willian with Manor Solomon – were forced into a 17th-minute substitution, Harry Wilson unable to continue as Bobby Decordova-Reid came on.

Moments later Villa were in front as Mings connected with John McGinn’s corner and flicked the ball past Bernd Leno into the far corner, the defender’s first goal for the club since November 2021.

Leno subsequently dealt with a Watkins shot and McGinn header as Villa continued to look well in control of proceedings for the remainder of the half, with Fulham struggling to get much going.

After that remained the case for the Cottagers in the early stages of the second half – while Villa also showed little attacking threat – Silva opted to make a triple change midway through, introducing Carlos Vinicius, Tom Cairney and Cedric Soares.

Watkins then sent a shot off-target as Adarabioyo worked to thwart him, before Douglas Luiz looped an effort over the visitors’ bar.

With  only a goal in it, Villa fans might have been feeling nervy, and the ball was in the hosts’ net in the 83rd minute when Harrison Reed’s delivery went in off Mings – but the flag went up for offside.

There was little further from Silva’s side after that, while the hosts might have scored again in stoppage time as McGinn flashed a shot wide.