Sports

Man United Frustrates Chelsea At Home

Published

4 years ago

November 29, 2021

With Cristiano Ronaldo benched, United redefined the idea of caution in the first half, taking 21 minutes to touch the ball in the final third and 44 minutes to have a touch in Chelsea’s box, but the hosts struggled to break them down.
Callum Hudson-Odoi saw an effort well saved by David de Gea, and later in the half the goalkeeper tipped Antonio Rudiger’s long-range shot onto the crossbar, but United stunned Chelsea to take the lead moments after half-time as Jadon Sancho feasted on Jorginho’s mistake to run through on goal unopposed and finish (50) for his first Premier League goal.
But Jorginho had a chance to redeem himself as Aaron Wan-Bissaka kicked the back of Thiago Silva’s leg in the box, allowing the Italian to score from the spot for 1-1 (69).
Chelsea huffed and puffed but could not find a winner – Rudiger blazed over the bar in the 97th minute unmarked at the far post – meaning Michael Carrick remains unbeaten in what could be his final match in charge with the imminent arrival of Ralf Rangnick as interim manager. Man Utd are eighth, while Chelsea stay top, now just a point ahead of Man City.
Carrick’s decision to drop Ronaldo – it was only the fourth time in nine years he has started a league game on the bench – and start a midfield three of Nemanja Matic, Scott McTominay and Fred pointed to a vigilant approach in a game where a draw would have been seen as a good result.
There were suggestions that Rangnick had helped picked the XI at Stamford Bridge, but Carrick denied this on several occasions after the game.
First, Hakim Ziyech turned away from Eric Bailly all too easily but was blocked by De Gea, and the goalkeeper had to be at his best moments later as Wan-Bissaka’s failed interception allowed Hudson-Odoi in, but his effort was saved with Timo Werner in a better position beside him.
It was by no means adventurous in an attacking from the visitors, their first touch in the final third coming in the 21st minute as Bruno Fernandes harmlessly struck wide. At the other end United became so packed in that Chelsea were reduced to long-range efforts, Rudiger cracking the crossbar from 25 yards, although De Gea got the slightest of touches.
United ended the half with just 32 per cent possession, no shot on target and an xG of just 0.02, but the statistics meant little as the visilevel as Wan-Bissaka clumsily kicked the back of Thiago Silva’s leg as he went to clear in the box. Jorginho stepped up, and sat De Gea down to convert.
With 20 minutes remaining, Chelsea could smell a winner, but despite the introduction of Romelu Lukaku after an injury lay-off, they could not find it.
Wan-Bissaka appeared from nowhere to block Werner in the box, and in the seventh minute of stoppage time Rudiger blasted into the stands unmarked 10 yards out from a Christian Pulisic cross.
United had their own chances, too, as the game opened up late on, but the best fell to Fred, who harmlessly chipped into Mendy’s hands with Ronaldo and Jesse Lingard in better positions.
Ronaldo was named on the bench for Man Utd for only the second time in the Prewith Carrick naming a midfield three of McTominay, Fred and Matic. Fernandes, Rashford and Sancho were in front of them, while Bailly and Lindelof were paired at centre-back.
Chelsea made four changes from the side that beat Leicester last weekend; Alonso came in for the injured Chilwell, while Werner, Ziyech and Loftus-Cheek came in for Havertz, Mount and the injured Kante. Lukaku returned to the bench.
Despite trailing with 21 minutes remaining, Chelsea will see this as two points dropped – they had 24 shots on United’s goal – but after weeks of instability, this makeshift United side got what they came to Stamford Bridge to achieve as Rangnick waits in the wings.
“It’s a big point to Manchester United because Chelsea were by far the better team. But United were spirited, stuck at it, so they will take a little bit of momentum into their season now. Hopefully they can kick on.
“Lots of changes over the last week, a new manager coming in next week, but there are still huge question marks over a lot of these players. But they deserve credit because they stuck together in what was a spirited performance rather than one of real quality. I said if United were to get anything from the game it would maybe be down to a bit of arrogance from Chelsea, which proved to be the case with the goal.
“To say United played well today, or during the week [is a stretch], but they’ve got two positive results and that is what you always fall back on, the results. David de Gea’s said after the game United fought for everything, but that is what you should be doing every week. It’s as if these players pick and choose their moments when they are up for it.
“If you want to play for Manchester United and compete for titles, you do that week in, week out. There was spirit today, and they deserve credit for that, but ultimately you want more.”
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel on Sky Sports: “I’m absolutely happy. I was happy to coach the team, I saw a huge effort, big intensity, so many ball recoveries in the opponents’ half, put the pressure up high.

We controlled the counter-attacks before they started, we were brave and courageous.
“They defended deep and maybe you need the first goal to open up a bit and gain the last per cent of freedom and confidence to have follow-ups and big chances on goal. If you don’t score, you always run a bit behind because you feel like you’re the stronger team, you play in the opponents’ half so we have two or three big chances we should have maybe used. But, in general, I am very happy with the way we played. I was pleased with our aggression, our rhythm and the intensity.”
Man Utd caretaker boss Michael Carrick on Sky Sports: “I’m disappointed actually. When you are in front in a game like this to have it taken away is disappointing. I’m proud of the players and the group all week. In a difficult situation we tried to make the best of it. But there is that little bitter feeling. We came to win the game. A little disappointed, I can’t lie.
“I don’t think it was a penalty at all. They have had a lot of shots David had two saves which we knew before the game he would have to make one or two. Other than that I have felt quite comfortable in the game. Of course we want to be better. I am not getting carried away but I thought we defended well. I cannot fault the boys one bit. To come away disappointed and to feel like you have left something out there is a positive.”
Chelsea skipper Jorginho stood head in hands looking back at the wreckage behind him, knowing he should have cleared the ball at the first opportunity, prompting both Roy Keane and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink to describe the decision as “arrogant” after the game on Sky Sports.
Werner then hooked a decent chance wide as the ball fell kindly to him at a corner, Ronaldo was introduced on the hour mark, but United handed Chelsea a chance to level as Wan-Bissaka clumsily kicked the back of Thiago Silva’s leg as he went to clear in the box. Jorginho stepped up, and sat De Gea down to convert
With 20 minutes remaining, Chelsea could smell a winner, but despite the introduction of Romelu Lukaku after an injury lay-off, they could not find it.
Wan-Bissaka appeared from nowhere to block Werner in the box, and in the seventh minute of stoppage time Rudiger blasted into the stands unmarked 10 yards out from a Christian Pulisic cross.

Sports

Forest Embarrass Liverpool At Anfield

Published

1 week ago

November 24, 2025

The Tide

Liverpool’s season of abject misery worsened as they were beaten with embarrassing ease by a hugely impressive Nottingham Forest at Anfield.

Arne Slot’s Premier League champions were looking to bounce back from a heavy defeat at Manchester City, but instead ran into a Forest side revitalised under new manager Sean Dyche and looking back to their best.

Liverpool head coach Slot gave £125m British record signing Alexander Isak a start, but he was totally anonymous once more and only lasted 67 minutes.

Forest went ahead after 33 minutes when defender Murillo shot powerfully past fit-again Liverpool keeper Alisson to subdue an already anxious Anfield.

Igor Jesus had a second ruled out for handball, but Forest doubled their advantage 39 seconds after the break when former Liverpool defender Neco Williams set up Nicola Savona for a crisp finish in front of The Kop.

Liverpool could barely raise a response in a desperate display, Forest increasing their lead 12 minutes from time when Morgan Gibbs-White scored after Alisson saved from Omari Hutchinson.

It means Liverpool, who lie 11th before Saturday’s late fixture, have now lost six of their past seven Premier League games as Slot’s near £450m summer spending spree comes under further scrutiny.

Forest, meanwhile, are surging away from the relegation zone and are up to 16th.

Sports

Bundesliga: Oliseh Stars As Bayern Rebound To Thrash Freiburg

Published

1 week ago

November 24, 2025

The Tide

Michael Olise scored twice and provided a hat-trick of assists as Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich came from two goals down to thrash Freiburg.

The visitors stunned the defending champions by taking a 2-0 lead after just 17 minutes when Yuito Suzuki scored from close range and Johan Manzambi rose highest to head home Jan-Niklas Beste’s corner.

Bayern, who had not lost in the league since March, responded superbly and had restored parity by half-time.

Teenager Lennart Karl fired into the bottom corner from Olise’s pass in the 22nd minute and set up the Frenchman for a fierce finish in first-half injury-time, although Freiburg goalkeeper Noah Atubolu should have done better.

Bayern took control in the second period as Dayot Upamecano headed home Olise’s corner to put them ahead for the first time.

England captain Harry Kane netted his 14th league goal of the campaign on the hour mark, before Olise made it three assists when he threaded a pass through for Nicolas Jackson to finish at the first time of asking in the 78th minute.

Winger Olise completed a sensational afternoon with his second of the game six minutes later, driving at the Freiburg defence and curling into the far corner.

A 10th victory in the first 11 games left Bayern eight points clear of second-placed Bayer Leverkusen, while Freiburg remain 10th in the standings.

Vincent Kompany’s side visit Arsenal in the Champions League on Wednesday with both sides having a perfect record of four wins so far in the league phase of the competition.

AS FAR Morocco Win African Women’s Champions League (8)

AS FAR held firm to beat debutants ASEC Mimosas 2-1 in the African Women’s Champions League final and become continental champions for the second time.

Hanane Ait El Haj put the Moroccan club ahead from the penalty spot in the 13th minute after Safa Banouk had been tripped by Aboa Yapo.

ASEC Mimosas rallied after the break and Ami Priscal Diallo netted a fine header from Sopie Brou’s cross to drag the Ivory Coast club level 10 minutes into the second half.

But AS FAR were handed a second spot-kick in the closing stages when Noura Diarra committed a rash challenge on Sofia Bouftini.

This time it was Zineb Redouani who stepped up to stroke home in the 85th minute and restore her side’s lead.

Asastasie Gbehi came close to forcing extra time but she poked wide of the post in stoppage time, and the centre-back was sent off after the full-time whistle for dissent.

AS FAR move level with South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns as two-time winners of the title, having first lifted the trophy in 2022.

The Rabat-based side will now take on Chinese’s Wuhan Jiangda on 14 December for a place at next year’s Fifa Women’s Champions Cup.

The winner of that match will face European champions Arsenal in the semi-finals of the inaugural competition early next year in London.

Sports

Barca Impress On Return To Camp Nou

Published

1 week ago

November 24, 2025

The Tide

Barcelona moved to the top of La Liga on Saturday with an emphatic win over 10-man Athletic Club in their first match at the Spotify Camp Nou since May 2023.

Robert Lewandowski scored their first goal back in their iconic home, which had been closed for extensive renovations, in the fourth minute.

Ferran Torres then netted twice in the second half, each assisted by wonderful skill from Lamine Yamal, who was aged just 15 in his only previous Nou Camp appearance.

Fermin Lopez also struck in the 48th minute, while visiting midfielder Oihan Sancet was sent off for a crude challenge on Lopez just six minutes later.

Large sections of the Nou Camp remained closed for the game, which was played in front of a 45,157 crowd.

The rebuilding work, which was originally scheduled to be finished in November 2024, will eventually increase the stadium’s capacity to 105,000.

Barca moved to 31 points from 13 games and top on goal difference, but Real Madrid had the chance to replace them, if they won at Elche in their game in hand, late last night.

Poland striker Lewandowski got his side off to the perfect start when he drove his low shot in off the arm of Athletic Club goalkeeper Unai Simon for an eighth league goal of the season.

The home side extended their lead in first-half added time as Yamal’s superb pass off the outside of his foot set up Torres for a good finish.

Lopez made it 3-0 three minutes after the restart, drilling a shot past Simon from near the penalty spot.

Sancet’s tackle from behind on Lopez was initially deemed a yellow card, but upgraded to red after the referee consulted with the video assistant referee (VAR).

And just before full-time, Yamal twisted and turned before sending Torres away to claim his second goal, which was originally disallowed for offside but overturned following a VAR check.

It was a dream return to their ground, with the reigning Spanish champions having mostly played at the 55,000 capacity Olympic Stadium on the city’s Montjuic hill since renovations on the Nou Camp began in June 2023.

They were forced to play two matches at the 6,000-capacity Johan Cruyff Stadium, home to their women’s team, this season after failing to get a permit for the Nou Camp through safety reasons.

Pogba Returns To Action In Ligue 1 (6)

Paul Pogba played his first minutes of professional football in more than two years as he came off the bench during Monaco’s 4-1 defeat by Rennes at the weekend.

The 32-year-old was introduced in the 85th minute at Rennes’ Roazhon Park, though his side were already four goals and a player down, following a red card for captain Denis Zakaria.

French World Cup winner Pogba broke down in tears when he joined Ligue 1 club Monaco last summer, after his four-year doping ban was reduced to 19 months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas).

Pogba’s last competitive appearance was 811 days ago, when he featured for Juventus in a Serie A match against Empoli on 3 September 2023. He left Juventus by mutual consent in November 2024.

Pogba was provisionally banned from football for four years after a positive test for dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in February 2024, following a doping test in August 2023.

Pogba maintained it was a mistake and that he was given a supplement without knowing it contained a banned substance.

The former Manchester United midfielder was permitted to return to football in March following the decision to reduce his ban.

Pogba watched from the bench as goals from Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal, Mahdi Camara, Breel Embolo and Ludovic Blas put Rennes out of sight.

Fellow substitute Mika Biereth pulled a goal back for Monaco in the 95th minute, but a second consecutive 4-1 defeat means Sebastien Pocognoli’s side drop to eighth in the table with 20 points after 13 games.