Month: April 2023

A 97th-minute Alexis Saelamaekers equaliser stunned Roma and earned Milan a point at Stadio Olimpico on Saturday to maintain their place in the Serie A Champions League places.

Milan headed into the game above the Giallorossi on just goal difference, and it appeared it would remain that way as a quiet affair was moments away from finishing goalless.

But in the fourth minute of stoppage time, Abraham fired into the bottom corner to send the home fans into raptures and seemingly lift Jose Mourinho’s men above the visitors.

However, Saelemaekers stuck in the dying seconds to nick a draw for Milan and extend their unbeaten Serie A streak against Roma to seven matches.

The first half was a cagey affair with clear-cut chances few and far between, though Lorenzo Pellegrini should have done better as he curled an early effort high and wide for the hosts.

An almighty scare occurred for Milan before the break, Leonardo Spinazzola cutting the ball back for Pellegrini to hit, only for Abraham to block his team-mates’ shot before Andrea Belotti smashed the rebound well wide. 

There was no shot on target in the first half, but Saelemaekers lashed a first-time effort over not long into the second half as both sides struggled to create much going forward.

It looked inevitable the match would end goalless, but in the 94th minute, Abraham received the ball before firing past Mike Maignan and into the bottom left corner to put Roma on the verge of three massive points.

But there would be another twist, as Saelemaekers got on the end of Rafael Leao’s deep cross before his effort squirmed through Rui Patricio to earn Milan a dramatic point.

Paul Heckingbottom said Sheffield United’s promotion back to the Premier League is “finally starting to sink in” after his side swept aside Preston at Bramall Lane.

The Blades secured a return to the top flight in midweek with victory over West Brom but, much to Heckingbottom’s delight, they did not ease off and stormed to a 4-1 win over a Preston side who still harboured play-off hopes before the match.

Anel Ahmedhodzic’s opener was cancelled out by Liam Delap but a late onslaught with goals from John Fleck, Iliman Ndiaye and Oli McBurnie securing victory for the FA Cup semi-finalists whilst ending North End’s top-six chances.

Heckingbottom said: “I’m delighted with the performance. I think the promotion is finally starting to sink in now.

“After the semi-final at Wembley I saw a lot of fans and I said I just wanted everyone to enjoy themselves and the same went for today.

“The attitude and application has been top. The turnaround from Wednesday to Saturday is hard at the best of times but the professionalism between then and now has been brilliant.

“We didn’t take our chances at the start of the second half, then they equalised and for those 10 minutes I was fuming! We went on and got the victory we deserved in the end.

“I’ve said before this is not my team. The team belongs to the players and the club belongs to the fans and I don’t mind driving that home.

“Getting promotion has got to be everything you’re about. We’ve got players who’ve had a few promotions and the young lads will definitely have learnt from them.

“Before next season we could lose players who we’d never be able to afford a replacement for. We’ve got them in the building already and we’ll do everything we can to keep them.”

Preston manager Ryan Lowe said he is not sure of his future at the club after the defeat confirmed they would be playing Championship football next season.

Lowe said: “I want to get to the levels of Sheffield United. They’ve been out of the Premier League for a few seasons and now they’re back. I’m made up for them but I want that to be us.

“We’ve got to keep going at 1-1. There’s been very few teams that have ripped us open like that, even in the first half we played well but we started being sloppy.

“I’ll reflect and look back on the season. I don’t know whether it’s been a lack of character or quality. Maybe it’s the mentality; sometimes the players think it’s going to be easy.

“I don’t want us to be a mid-table team; I want to be a very good team who fights for a play-off place every year. I’ve come to this club to get promoted and I’m disappointed we couldn’t take it to the last game.

“We need to bring some players in. We need a goalscorer, young Tom (Cannon) has been fantastic, no one expected him to score eight goals in the Championship.

“I’m not thinking about next season yet, I need to sit down and think about what I want to do. I’ve been backed since I walked through the door and the effort has been brilliant.

“I’ve got a lot of ambition and drive and I want to take the fans on a journey so I’m gutted for all of them today.”

Robbie Crawford scored a second-half winner as Morton claimed a 2-1 cinch Championship comeback victory to ensure Queen’s Park’s battle for promotion would go down to the last game of the season.

The visitors began to dominate and Connor Shields had a shot at goal blocked early on before – at the other end – Darragh O’Connor headed wide and Robbie Muirhead had an effort saved.

Spiders goalkeeper Calum Ferrie made a good save to keep Muirhead out on the half-hour but the away side made their early pressure count moments later as Malachi Boateng curled home from the edge of the box.

Former Queen’s Park midfielder Grant Gillespie equalised for Morton with a penalty on the stroke of half-time as he picked out the bottom-right corner.

Crawford put the hosts ahead following a quick break as he lifted the ball over Ferrie and into the back of the net after 65 minutes to leave Queen’s Park second, two points behind leaders Dundee who they play in their final game on Friday.

Kyle Turner scored twice as Partick Thistle bolstered their hopes of securing a Scottish Championship play-off spot with a 2-0 victory over struggling Arbroath.

Arbroath had a couple of early chances as Dale Hilson had a shot saved by David Mitchell and Thomas O’Brien saw his effort cleared off the line.

Turner was denied by Derek Gaston before the Partick midfielder opened the scoring in the 40th minute, heading in Steven Lawless’ cross.

Gaston prevented Arbroath going further behind, saving from Brian Graham, while Mitchell tipped over Steven Hetherington’s 20-yard drive at the other end.

Turner made it 2-0 on the hour mark with a neat finish and saw another effort saved as he went for a hat-trick, with Gaston keeping out Darren Brownlie’s header in dramatic fashion.

Newly promoted Sheffield United ended Preston’s hopes of a Championship play-off spot with a 4-1 win at Bramall Lane.

The Lilywhites travelled to South Yorkshire knowing they needed three points to stay in with a chance of a top-six finish but goals from Anel Ahmedhodzic, John Fleck, Iliman Ndiaye and Oli McBurnie confirmed they will be playing Championship football again next season.

United boss Paul Heckingbottom made four changes to the team that beat West Brom 2-0 in midweek to confirm their return to the Premier League, with Jayden Bogle, Chris Basham, Oliver Norwood and Billy Sharp coming into the starting XI.

Preston manager Ryan Lowe made just one switch from the 1-1 draw at home to Blackburn, with Ryan Ledson coming in for the injured Ben Whiteman.

The Blades showed no sign of a promotion hangover and had the big first opportunity of the game.

Ndiaye carried the ball from the half-way line and fed James McAtee but North End goalkeeper Freddie Woodman denied him from close range.

United then took to lead in the 36th minute when Tommy Doyle’s corner from the right was met by defender Ahmedhodzic who headed in off the post for his second goal in as many matches.

Norwood saw his free-kick tipped over the bar with the last action of the half as United looked to extend their advantage.

Ndiaye and McAtee both had chances to make it 2-0 in a matter of seconds after the break, but Preston somehow scrambled the ball away and then fashioned an equaliser in the 63rd minute.

Substitute Liam Delap got the visitors on terms when he tapped in Brad Potts’ teasing ball from the right.

Potts then did his bit at the other end to prevent United quickly reclaiming the lead when he superbly blocked Bogle’s shot in the box.

However, the Blades did get back in front in the 72nd minute when substitutes Daniel Jebbison and Fleck combined brilliantly before the latter’s shot deflected in.

United added a third in the 75th minute with Jebbison again the provider, the youngster storming down the right-hand side before putting the chance on a plate for strike partner Ndiaye.

Troy Parrott had a big chance to get the away side back into the game after being played through on goal but Wes Foderingham came out on top in their one on one.

Another United substitute, McBurnie, then added some gloss to the victory when he acrobatically made it 4-1 in the fifth minute of injury time.

Peterborough saw their promotion hopes fade further with a 0-0 home stalemate against Bristol Rovers.

Darren Ferguson’s men remain two points off the Sky Bet League One play-off places with only one game to go after failing to find the net on home turf for the eighth time this season.

The hosts lacked attacking intent and ideas in a first half when mid-table Rovers threatened first as Josh Coburn drilled a shot wide.

Posh leading scorer Jonson Clarke-Harris, seeking a goal against his former side, blasted an effort wide from the edge of the box and then saw another 20-yard strike parried away by Rovers goalkeeper Ellery Balcombe.

The frustration continued for Posh in the second period as plenty of pressure failed to provide clear chances.

Clarke-Harris glanced their best opportunity across the face of goal with a quarter of an hour to go before League One player of the year Aaron Collins forced a smart save from Peterborough goalkeeper Will Norris.

The deadlock means Posh will now have to triumph at Barnsley, who are already assured of a play-off spot, next Sunday to stand any chance of clawing their way back into the top six.

Giorgio Chiellini believes Inter “have an advantage” in their eagerly anticipated Champions League semi-final showdown with rivals Milan.

The Serie A giants face off in what promises to be a mouth-watering two-legged tie next month, with the winners playing either Manchester City or reigning champions Real Madrid in the final.

Juventus reached two Champions League finals during Chiellini’s trophy-laden 18-year stint with the club, with the defender playing in a 2017 defeat to Real Madrid after missing 2015’s loss to Barcelona through injury.

Ahead of the huge tie, Italy’s Euro 2020-winning captain is backing three-time winners Inter to prevail.

“The Milan derby will be a balanced semi-final, but if I have to bet €1, I’ll put it on Inter,” he told Discod. 

“I think the Nerazzurri have an advantage because I see them stronger in this type of match.”

The 38-year-old – now plying his trade with MLS franchise Los Angeles FC – also had his say on the other semi-final between Madrid and City, who are seeking their first continental triumph under Pep Guardiola.

“My prediction for this year’s final is Inter-Manchester City,” Chiellini added. “Here too, we are on a razor’s edge because the other semi-finalist, Real Madrid, are also very strong.

“But I think that eventually Manchester City will have to reach the final sooner or later, so I would bet another €1 on the Inter-Manchester City final.”

Luke Bolton bagged a last-gasp winner as Salford closed in on securing a League Two play-off place with an incredible 3-2 away win over fellow promotion-chasers Carlisle.

First-half goals from Colin Hendry and Bolton put the visitors firmly in the driving seat.

But Joe Garner pulled a goal back for the hosts with 13 minutes remaining, before they had Jon Mellish sent-off for violent conduct with seven minutes remaining.

The midfielder was given his marching orders for seemingly pushing Salford’s Elliot Watt in the face after Garner had won a penalty when Liam Shephard foul him in the box.

Kristian Dennis stepped up to slot home the equaliser from the spot but there was still time for Bolton to bag his second of the afternoon with a stunning left-foot strike to secure maximum points with just two minutes left.

It condemned Carlisle to their first defeat in five games with just one league fixture remaining, but they sit three points and eight goals better off than eighth-placed Mansfield, who were beaten at home to strugglers Harrogate.

Salford’s victory moved them level on points with the Cumbrians and they are four goals better off than the Stags ahead of the final round of fixtures.

Late goals from Conor Thomas and Joel Tabiner saw Crewe stage a late comeback to beat Swindon 2-1.

Rushian Hepburn-Murphy fired the Robins ahead just before the break at Gresty Road, but a dramatic finish saw Crewe hit back with two goals in four minutes.

Teenage goalkeeper Tom Booth, making his home debut, was rescued by the woodwork early on. Jake Cain curled a free-kick against the woodwork, then Jacob Wakeling thrashed the rebound against the underside of the crossbar.

The young keeper did well when pushing away a low drive from Hepburn-Murphy, but shortly afterwards the Swindon forward drove a fierce effort which deflected beyond Booth’s dive for Swindon’s 44th-minute opener.

Crewe had barely threatened in the first half apart from a wild effort from Chris Long and a vain appeal from Courtney Baker-Richardson after Swindon stopper Sol Brynn rushed out of his box to chest the ball clear.

But after the break, Brynn held onto Long’s rising drive as the home side came out of their shell.

Swindon substitute Tyrese Shade drew a good block from Booth with a rasping low drive.

Crewe levelled in the 82nd minute when Brynn could only push out substitute Lachlan Brook’s fierce drive, allowing Thomas a simple tap-in.

And four minutes later, Callum Ainley – another of manager Lee Bell’s second-half changes – supplied a teasing cross which Tabiner flicked superbly beyond Brynn and into the far corner.

Dan Agyei was close to adding a third, but his header was cleared off the line by Tom Clayton.

A goal of Premier League quality from Manuel Benson set title-winners Burnley on course for a 2-1 Championship win over Bristol City at Ashton Gate.

The Belgian winger collected the ball on the right corner of the penalty area after 33 minutes and connected perfectly with a left-footed strike that bent the ball around Max O’Leary’s dive before finding the top corner of the net inside the far post.

City equalised on the hour, Tommy Conway shooting low past Bailey Peacock-Farrell from substitute Andi Weimann’s pass for his 12th goal of the season.

But within two minutes Burnley were back in front. An error by Alex Scott led to Scott Twine setting up substitute Jay Rodriguez to fire home from 12 yards.

City’s players and coaching staff formed a guard of honour to applaud Burnley onto the pitch. The visitors had the first effort on goal when Josh Cullen’s low shot was deflected just wide of the post after seven minutes.

The home side’s high press created a few anxious moments for Vincent Kompany’s men and goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell was almost robbed by Harry Cornick inside his own box after 11 minutes.

Cornick’s shot on the turn after 17 minutes went narrowly wide, but from then on, all the meaningful first-half action was in and around the home side’s penalty area.

Two minutes before Benson’s brilliant strike, Lyle Foster got in behind City’s back line only to drag his shot wide with only O’Leary to beat.

Foster had suffered a nasty blow in a clash of heads with defender Kal Naismith and was still feeling the effects when he was replaced by Rodriguez four minutes before the interval.

Former City midfielder Josh Brownhill shot wide from Benson’s pass and Twine brought another save from O’Leary as the home side lost some of their early zest.

But City were still in the game as the second half began and Sam Bell had a 50th-minute shot blocked as they began the second half in determined fashion.

Vitinho fired over for Burnley before City boss Nigel Pearson made a triple substitution after 56 minutes, sending on Joe Williams, Weimann and Mark Sykes, for Andy King, George Tanner and Cornick.

Two goals in quick succession, one for either side, led to the game becoming wide open. Weimann shot over when well placed to net City a second equaliser.

Weimann then thought he had levelled with a power header after 81 minutes, but referee David Webb had spotted a foul by a team-mate.

Zak Vyner and Sykes were off target in a frantic City finish that had the champions hanging on, but victory kept Burnley on target to top 100 points at the end of their fine season as they moved to 98.