Steve Cooper out at Leicester after 15 games

by | Nov 25, 2024 | Sports

Leicester City have parted ways with manager Steve Cooper, the Premier League club confirmed in a statement on Sunday.

Leicester City have parted ways with manager Steve Cooper, the Premier League club confirmed in a statement on Sunday. Leicester City have parted ways with manager Steve Cooper, the Premier League club confirmed in a statement on Sunday.

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Nicol: Leicester job not attractive for established managers (2:19)Steve Nicol expects Leicester City to turn to a manager with less Premier League experience after sacking Steve Cooper. (2:19)

Nov 24, 2024, 11:03 AM ET

Leicester City have parted ways with manager Steve Cooper, the Premier League club confirmed in a statement on Sunday.

The 44-year-old took over at King Power Stadium in the summer and leaves the club in 16th place in the Premier League after 12 games. He also led Leicester to the Carabao Cup round of 16, where they were beaten by Manchester United.

Cooper’s last game in charge was Saturday’s 2-1 loss to Chelsea, who are managed by his predecessor, Enzo Maresca.

“Assistant manager Alan Tate and first team coach and analyst Steve Rands have also left the club,” the team said in a statement. “Steve, Alan and Steve depart with our thanks for their contribution during their time with the club and with our best wishes for the future.”

The club said that first-team coach Ben Dawson and coaches Danny Alcock and Andy Hughes will oversee training until they find a new manager.

Leicester began the season with a 1-1 draw at home to Tottenham Hotspur, but failed to record a win in their opening six league games.

Successive victories over Bournemouth and Southampton last month had eased the pressure somewhat before three defeats in their last four games led to Cooper’s downfall.

A stoppage-time penalty from Jordan Ayew in Saturday’s game at home to Chelsea gave them hope of snatching a draw, but another loss proved too much for the club.

Leicester’s next game is at Brentford on Saturday.

Cooper is the second Premier League manager to be sacked this season after Man United fired Erik ten Hag last month.

Information from Reuters contributed to this report.

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WSL: Chelsea beat Man Utd to extend lead at top

by | Nov 25, 2024 | Sports

WSL: Chelsea beat Man Utd to extend lead at top

LONDON, Nov 24 – A 17th-minute spot kick from winger Guro Reiten gave Chelsea a 1-0 home win over Manchester United on Sunday that extends their winning start to the Women’s Super League season to eight games and keeps them top of the standings with… LONDON, Nov 24 – A 17th-minute spot kick from winger Guro Reiten gave Chelsea a 1-0 home win over Manchester United on Sunday that extends their winning start to the Women’s Super League season to eight games and keeps them top of the standings with…

ByReuters

A 17th-minute spot kick from Guro Reiten gave Chelsea a 1-0 home win over Manchester United on Sunday that extends their winning start to the Women’s Super League season to eight games and keeps them top of the standings with 24 points.

The Blues dominated throughout against a lacklustre United but only had one goal to show for it despite a number of excellent chances. The visitors only managed a single shot on target over the 90 minutes, though Melvine Malard struck the woodwork in stoppage time.

The game was decided early in the first half when Chelsea striker Mayra Ramirez was brought down by United goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce, and Reiten made no mistake from the spot to put her side five points clear of second-placed Manchester City.

United’s first defeat of the season leaves them in fifth place, behind Arsenal on goal difference and one point behind third-placed Brighton & Hove Albion.

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Orlando advances in MLS day after Pride win NWSL

by | Nov 25, 2024 | Sports

Orlando advances in MLS day after Pride win NWSL

Ramiro Enrique scored his first playoff goal six minutes before halftime and Orlando City SC set a new franchise high-water mark with a 1-0 victory over visiting Atlanta United FC in Sunday’s Eastern Conference semifinal. Ramiro Enrique scored his first playoff goal six minutes before halftime and Orlando City SC set a new franchise high-water mark with a 1-0 victory over visiting Atlanta United FC in Sunday’s Eastern Conference semifinal.

ByESPN News Services

With a shutout of ninth-seeded Atlanta — which won both these teams’ regular-season meetings — No. 4 seed Orlando reached its first conference final since the club began MLS play in 2015.

The win also came one day after the Orlando Pride beat the Washington Spirit to secure their first NWSL title.

The Lions will host the seventh-seeded New York Red Bulls, who defeated New York City FC in Saturday’s East semifinal.

“First and foremost, just happy, right? Happy, happy for this team and for this club, and to be able to move on to this moment, and to have a part in that by scoring the goal,” Enrique said after the game. “I think, you know, being able to get to the conference finals, we’re just really happy. We’re happy to be there. This club is going to take it step by step to ultimately get to what our end goal is, which we all know. I’m just really happy to be able to score tonight.”

Pedro Gallese kept his third clean sheet of the postseason, this time without having to make a single save against an Atlanta side that had scored eight goals in its first four playoff matches.

Atlanta’s season ends with the club’s best postseason finish since reaching the 2019 Eastern Conference semifinals.

Atlanta midfielder Dax McCarty played his final MLS game, finishing a career that began in 2006 with 488 league appearances and 35 more in the postseason.

Orlando City players celebrate after scoring a goal against Atlanta United in the MLS playoffs.

The visitors won back-to-back matches just to qualify for the playoffs, then pulled off one of the biggest MLS Cup playoff upsets of all time in a three-game series triumph over Lionel Messi and Supporters’ Shield winners Inter Miami in Round 1.

But Orlando was the superior side throughout the first half Sunday and took a deserved lead through a set piece, an area that has given Atlanta trouble this season.

Enrique helped create the corner kick when he pressured goalkeeper Brad Guzan into spilling the ball over his own endline when trying to catch a high cross.

Martín Ojeda‘s ensuing outswinger dropped to the turf after deflecting off at least one body in the box, and Enrique was first to the loose ball to poke home a finish past Guzan from close range.

Interim Atlanta manager Rob Valentino removed injured striker Jamal Thiaré — who scored twice in the Game 3 win over Miami — moments after Orlando’s goal. His replacement Daniel Ríos then also had to exit after taking a ball to the head early in the second half.

The attackers that remained had more opportunities in the second half than the first, but rarely made Gallese work.

“We are obviously very excited and proud, but first from our players and our staff, we want to honor the fans that came today with such energy and helped us,” Orlando manager Oscar Pareja said. “It’s beautiful to see the stadium that way, see the culture and how this club has become one of the best in Major League Soccer.

“So, responding with this victory is great, and just having the boys in this moment with the way they’re playing as well.”

Information from Field Level Media was used in this report.

www.espn.com – SOCCER

Southampton vs Liverpool: Slot hails resilient win

by | Nov 25, 2024 | Sports

Southampton vs Liverpool: Slot hails resilient win

Liverpool boss Arne Slot praised his team for mounting a second-half comeback in a 3-2 win at Southampton.

Liverpool boss Arne Slot praised his team for mounting a second-half comeback in a 3-2 win at Southampton. Liverpool boss Arne Slot praised his team for mounting a second-half comeback in a 3-2 win at Southampton.

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Slot promises Liverpool won’t get carried away with eight-point lead (1:22)Arne Slot plays down expectations after Liverpool extended their Premier League lead to eight points with a comeback win over Southampton. (1:22)

Nov 24, 2024, 01:31 PM ET

Liverpool boss Arne Slot praised his team for mounting a second-half comeback in a 3-2 win at Southampton when the Premier League leaders were in danger of losing to the bottom side before Mohamed Salah came to their rescue.

Liverpool were gifted the opener from a Southampton error but failed to capitalise in the first half before the home side took a shock 2-1 lead after the restart. Salah then grabbed a double that took Liverpool eight points clear at the top.

“In the second half I saw the intensity I was looking for in the first half. Southampton make it really difficult for many teams, including top clubs, and they made it difficult today, though we dominated the game completely,” Slot told Sky Sports.

“There was not enough urgency to arrive in the box [in the first half], we just kept the ball instead of attacking the box. Although we fell behind in the second half we showed more urgency and intensity.

“That led to numerous chances and eventually two goals. It is tough to create chances against a 4-5-1 low block but we know Southampton want to play out from the back so you have to be really aggressive, if not they have a really good game plan.”

Salah’s double took him to 10 league goals this season — two behind top scorer Erling Haaland — and the Egypt international has scored six goals in his last five league games.

His first goal took Southampton by surprise when all Salah did was take one touch outside the box to let the ball roll past the onrushing keeper and into the net before he scored the winner from the penalty spot.

“If you want to win you need to score goals and we know Mo can score,” Slot said.

“For me his first goal is the most important as we scored out of nowhere. Then after that it was just waiting for us to score another.”

Slot has now won 10 of his 12 Premier League games in charge of Liverpool in his debut season but he enters arguably his toughest week so far when they host Real Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday followed by Manchester City next Sunday.

“They are two teams who have dominated football the last few years. So two big games and that’s why we needed to win today. That is what I am happy about,” Slot said.

www.espn.com – SOCCER

Liverpool boss Arne Slot praised his team for mounting a second-half comeback in a 3-2 win at Southampton.

Madrid click after position swap for Mbappé, Vini

by | Nov 25, 2024 | Sports

Madrid click after position swap for Mbappé, Vini

Carlo Ancelotti praised Kylian Mbappé’s performance after the Real Madrid forward scored from a new, left-sided role in their 3-0 LaLiga win at Leganés on Sunday.

Carlo Ancelotti praised Kylian Mbappé’s performance after the Real Madrid forward scored from a new, left-sided role in their 3-0 LaLiga win at Leganés on Sunday. Carlo Ancelotti praised Kylian Mbappé’s performance after the Real Madrid forward scored from a new, left-sided role in their 3-0 LaLiga win at Leganés on Sunday.

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Kylian Mbappé taps in the opening goal for Real Madrid (1:17)Kylian Mbappé slots home the goal to give Real Madrid the lead in the first half. (1:17)

Nov 24, 2024, 03:39 PM ET

Carlo Ancelotti praised Kylian Mbappé‘s performance after the Real Madrid forward scored from a new, left-sided role in their 3-0 LaLiga win at Leganés on Sunday.

Mbappé put Madrid ahead in the 43rd minute at Butarque, converting Vinícius Júnior‘s pass from close range, before Federico Valverde and Jude Bellingham secured the three points in the second half.

It was Mbappé’s first Madrid goal in five games, having switched positions with Vinícius, starting on the left side of the attack.

“It was a good game from beginning to end,” Ancelotti said in his postmatch news conference. “The team was solid and focused. We changed the positions of the forwards a bit, with Mbappé on the outside, and he did well.

“Vinicius did well too, on the inside. We opened the scoring, and after that the team controlled the game well.”

Mbappé has now scored seven goals in 12 league appearances for Madrid but had faced criticism for his performances in recent weeks, going four matches without finding the net.

“I started in a different position than in recent games,” Mbappé said afterward. “But as I said the first day I arrived here, I can play in different positions. Today was different, and maybe in the next game it will be different again. I’m ready to help the team.

“It’s the story of my career. I can play on the right, on the left, as a front two, I don’t mind. What I want to do is play well, help the team and score goals.”

After the game, Ancelotti gave his reasons for the switch, adding the best part about the setup and the result was the growing partnership between his two superstars.

“I think [Mbappé] is more used to playing [on the left],” Ancelotti said. “Today that was best for the team, and for him too. On the outside it’s more tiring, and Vini had returned [from international duty] on Thursday.

“Mbappé was fresher than Vinicius. He did very well with the goal, after a fantastic assist from Vini. Little by little the two are getting better.”

With right-backs Dani Carvajal and Lucas Vázquez both missing through injury, Ancelotti picked midfielder Valverde in the role, and suggested he could play there against Liverpool in the Champions League this week.

Madrid go into the game at Anfield on Wednesday in need of a win, after losing twice in four Champions League games so far.

“Valverde is a fantastic full-back,” Ancelotti said. “After Carvajal and Lucas Vazquez, he’s the best in the world. The problem is choosing where he’s best for the team. But he’s incredibly versatile. We’ll see if Lucas and [Aurelien] Tchouameni recover for Wednesday, and then we’ll see.”

www.espn.com – SOCCER

Carlo Ancelotti praised Kylian Mbappé’s performance after the Real Madrid forward scored from a new, left-sided role in their 3-0 LaLiga win at Leganés on Sunday.

Ipswich vs Man United: VAR stopped by fire alarm

by | Nov 25, 2024 | Sports

Ipswich vs Man United: VAR stopped by fire alarm

VAR was temporarily suspended during Manchester United’s clash at Ipswich Town in the Premier League on Sunday after a fire alarm sounded at its Stockley Park control centre.

VAR was temporarily suspended during Manchester United’s clash at Ipswich Town in the Premier League on Sunday after a fire alarm sounded at its Stockley Park control centre. VAR was temporarily suspended during Manchester United’s clash at Ipswich Town in the Premier League on Sunday after a fire alarm sounded at its Stockley Park control centre.

Nov 24, 2024, 12:15 PM ET

VAR was temporarily suspended during Manchester United‘s clash at Ipswich Town in the Premier League on Sunday after a fire alarm sounded at its Stockley Park control centre.

TV cameras showed referee Anthony Taylor speaking to the teams’ captains, with the Premier League confirming the discussion was to inform them that VAR had been stopped.

It meant Taylor and his assistants Gary Beswick and Adam Nunn had to make do without help from VAR, although the service resumed without seeming to impact the game.

United scored their fastest goal of the season in Rúben Amorim’s first game in charge with Marcus Rashford putting the visitors ahead after 81 seconds, but the conceded shortly before the end of the first half and settled for a 1-1 draw.

Information from ESPN’s Dale Johnson contributed to this report.

www.espn.com – SOCCER

VAR was temporarily suspended during Manchester United’s clash at Ipswich Town in the Premier League on Sunday after a fire alarm sounded at its Stockley Park control centre.

Steve Cooper out at Leicester after 15 games​​

WSL: Chelsea beat Man Utd to extend lead at top​​

Orlando advances in MLS day after Pride win NWSL​​

Southampton vs Liverpool: Slot hails resilient win​​

Madrid click after position swap for Mbappé, Vini​​

Ipswich vs Man United: VAR stopped by fire alarm​​

Steve Cooper out at Leicester after 15 games

WSL: Chelsea beat Man Utd to extend lead at top

Orlando advances in MLS day after Pride win NWSL

Southampton vs Liverpool: Slot hails resilient win

Madrid click after position swap for Mbappé, Vini

Ipswich vs Man United: VAR stopped by fire alarm