Month: May 2021

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ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI BREAKS 49-YEAR OLD BUNDESLIGA GOAL RECORD WITH LAST-GASP BAYERN GOAL

Robert Lewandowski broke a 49-year Bundesliga record by scoring his 41st goal of the season in the very last minute of Bayern Munich’s final 2020/21 outing at home to Augsburg.

The Poland striker had already equalled Bayern legend Gerd Mueller’s long-standing record, set all the way back in 1972, for the most goals in a single Bundesliga campaign, getting on the scoresheet for the 40th time in last weekend’s 2-2 draw away at Freiburg.

Nevertheless, he appeared set to miss out on the 41st in Saturday’s 5-2 thrashing of Augsburg, first spurning a number of golden opportunities to write history.

But just as it seemed the chance to break the record would pass him by, Lewandowski capitalised on a rebound in the box, pouncing on the loose ball and rounding the goalkeeper before stroking it home in the 90th minute.

That strike means he has produced the highest ever return in a single Bundesliga campaign with his remarkable tally of 41 goals in 29 appearances.

After etching his name into German football folklore, Lewandowski told BT Sport: “It’s difficult to say about my emotions because I’m very happy, I’m very proud.

“Also, I want to dedicate this goal to my mother because she has her birthday today, and also to Hansi Flick and all the staff – because they did an amazing job.

“We’ve worked together and had amazing performances since Hansi Flick’s [been] here, so that was something special also for me as a player.

“I’m feeling great. I don’t know exactly what I did yet, but I’m very proud, very happy and my emotions are high.

“I have to say that I never dreamt about breaking this record, to score more than 40 goals, because I thought that it’s impossible if you have only 34 games – and I played 29 games.

“So that’s why I still don’t believe what I did. But after this whole game I scored in the last seconds, the last minute. I was trying before three, four, five times to score even just one goal and I couldn’t.

“And the last situation came and I scored the goal. That is something special, something historic. I still don’t believe it but maybe tomorrow, maybe even one or two weeks later, I will understand what I did.”

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ATLETICO MADRID BEAT REAL MADRID TO LA LIGA TITLE ON FINAL DAY

Atletico Madrid have won La Liga for the first time since 2014 after a final-day 2-1 comeback win at Real Valladolid saw them clinch the title ahead of rivals Real Madrid.

Valladolid had taken a half-time lead over Atletico before goals from Angel Correa and Luis Suarez turned the score around. Madrid’s late turnaround to beat Villarreal 2-1 was irrelevant due to Atletico’s result.

The results mean Diego Simeone’s team end the season on 86 points, two ahead of second-placed Madrid and seven above third-placed Barcelona.

It’s the eleventh time that Atletico have been crowned champions of Spain, with just three of them coming in the last 40 years, in 1996, 2014 and now 2021.

Simeone has now won two La Liga titles, a Copa del Rey and a Supercopa Espana in a decade in charge, as well as two Europa League successes and two UEFA Super Cups.

Atletico have been title favourites for much of the season, leading the league table since December 5 when they went top with a 2-0 win, also over Valladolid.

Key to their early-season success was the form of forward Suarez — who was deemed surplus to requirements at Barcelona last summer — who scored 16 goals in his first 17 games.

The role of Marcos Llorente, converted into an attacking midfielder this season by coach Simeone, has also been crucial, bagging 12 goals and 11 assists.

By January 31, a 4-2 victory at Cadiz put Atletico 10 points clear of both Madrid and Barca in the title race.

That was followed by a more challenging spell, as Suarez’s goals dried up, and three losses and six draws allowed Atletico’s title rivals to begin to close the gap.

Two weeks ago, a rollercoaster matchday 35 saw Atletico drop more points in a 0-0 draw with Barcelona at Camp Nou — in what looked like a potentially decisive result — only for Madrid to be held 2-2 by Sevilla a day later.

Last weekend, with all ten matchday 37 games being played simultaneously, Atletico looked to have blown their title chances when they went 1-0 down at home to Osasuna, with Real leading by the same scoreline at Athletic Bilbao.

Two goals in the last ten minutes from Renan Lodi and Suarez turned the race on its head, a 2-1 win setting up Saturday’s dramatic league finale.

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WOLVES TO PART WAYS WITH BOSS NUNO ESPIRITO AFTER END OF SEASON

Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo will leave the club after the final game of the season on Sunday, the Premier League team announced on Friday.

Nuno led Wolves to promotion from the Championship and established them in the top-flight during his four seasons at Molineux.

“Wolves can confirm head coach Nuno Espirito Santo will leave the club, by mutual agreement, after Sunday’s match against Manchester United,” a club statement said.

With Tottenham still looking for a new manager after Jose Mourinho’s sacking in April, it has been reported that Nuno is among the contenders to take charge of the north London side.

Under Nuno’s management, Wolves secured consecutive seventh-placed finishes in the Premier League and reached the Europa League quarter-finals.

This season has proved more difficult and Wolves can do no better than a 12th-placed finish depending on Sunday’s result in his farewell match against United at Molineux.

There had been reports for several weeks that Wolves were considering parting ways with the 47-year-old, who only signed a new deal with the club 12 months ago.

Both Nuno and the club insisted the decision for the Portuguese coach to leave had been made by mutual consent.

“We achieved our goals, we did it with passion and we did it together. Firstly, I want to thank the supporters, who have all played such an important part in helping us reach new heights for Wolves, and the people of the city, who embraced us and made us feel at home,” Nuno said.

“I, of course, want to thank all of the staff at Wolves, for their support and total commitment, every single day.

“Most importantly, I want to thank each and every player that we’ve worked with since the day we started, for their loyalty, their dedication, hard work and talent. They are the ones who have made this amazing journey possible for us.

“Sunday will be a very emotional day, but I am so happy that the fans will be back in Molineux and we can share one last special moment together, as one pack.”

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LEICESTER TITLE WINNING CAPTAIN, WES MORGAN TO RETIRE THIS SUMMER

Leicester’s Premier League title winning captain Wes Morgan will retire at the end of the season.

The 37-year-old defender made 324 appearances and scored 14 goals in his nine years at the King Power Stadium and is assured of legendary status after lifting the Premier League trophy following their shock triumph in 2016.

Morgan also came on as a sub last weekend during Leicester’s victory over Chelsea which sealed their maiden FA Cup success. He could make a final appearance for the club on Sunday when they take on Tottenham on the final day of the Premier League season.

The Jamaica international won the Championship with the Foxes and was named on the Football League’s Team of the Decade, the Championship Team of the Year three times, as well as the PFA Team of the Year in 2015/16.

“Wes has been one of Leicester City’s greatest servants, leading the team through the club’s most successful era and helping to set the standards that have pushed the club forward,” Leicester chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha said of Morgan’s retirement.

“A big brother to everyone he has played with, a strong representative of the squad and a valuable source of counsel to managers and senior executives in the club, his contribution has been enormous.

“Wes has shown throughout his Leicester City career that he has a great deal to offer away from the pitch. I’m excited to see how we can help him shape his career after football and how the club can continue to benefit from his experience, knowledge and passion for the game.”

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DAVID BECKHAM VOTED INTO PREMIER LEAGUE HALL OF FAME

David Beckham has been confirmed as the final Premier League Hall of Fame inductee of 2021.

The former Manchester United midfielder helped the club win six Premier League titles with his unrivalled passing ability, pinpoint crosses and 18 goals from trademark free-kicks, a total to which no player has come close.

He follows Alan Shearer, Thierry Henry, Eric Cantona, Roy Keane, Dennis Bergkamp, Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard in receiving the League’s highest individual honour.

“It’s an honour to be inducted into the inaugural Premier League Hall of Fame alongside these legends of the game and league,” Beckham told newmen

“The Premier League was such an important part of my career and life and I’m delighted to be recognised alongside these icons who I played with, competed with and looked up to.

“This is made even more of an honour for me knowing that it was down to the fans. This past year or so has shown just how important fans are to the game and it’s so great to see them slowly being able to come back to stadiums because they make football truly special.

“I’ve always said that throughout my playing career and beyond, I’m so lucky to have incredible fans who support me no end so thank you to everyone who voted.”

Beckham announced himself on the Premier League stage on the opening weekend of the 1996/97 season, scoring from inside his own half for Man Utd away to Wimbledon.

While he brought fame and glamour to the League, he was also a fearless competitor and established himself as a mainstay in Sir Alex Ferguson’s Man Utd side, claiming his six titles across eight full seasons.

Only eight players have beaten Beckham’s total of 80 PL assists, while just three have surpassed his combined tally of 142 goal involvements for Man Utd in the competition.

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CHELSEA AND LEICESTER CITY CHARGED AFTER STAMFORD BRIDGE FRACAS

Chelsea and Leicester have been charged by the English Football Association following the ugly scenes towards the end of their match at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night.

Players and staff from both teams squared up to each other after Ricardo Pereira’s challenge on Ben Chilwell.

An FA statement read: “Chelsea FC and Leicester City FC have both been charged with a breach of FA Rule E20.1 following their Premier League fixture on Tuesday, May 18, 2021.

“It is alleged that both clubs failed to ensure their players and/or club officials conducted themselves in an orderly fashion and/or refrained from provocative behaviour during the 93rd minute.

“Chelsea FC and Leicester City FC both have until Tuesday, May 25, 2021 to provide their respective responses.”

Chelsea won the match 2-1 to boost their Champions League bid and knock Leicester out of the top four.

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GERRARD INDUCTED INTO PREMIER LEAGUE HALL OF FAME

Steven Gerrard is the latest former player to be inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame.

As the driving force in Liverpool’s midfield for 17 years, Gerrard inspired his team-mates with surging runs, pinpoint passes, talismanic tackles and spectacular strikes, scoring 120 goals and providing 92 assists in the competition.

The former Liverpool captain joins Alan Shearer, Thierry Henry, Eric Cantona, Roy Keane, Frank Lampard and Dennis Bergkamp in receiving the League’s highest individual honour.

Gerrard made 504 PL appearances between 1998 and 2015, all for Liverpool, and is one of only two players to make at least 500 appearances for the club in the competition, along with Jamie Carragher (508).

The midfielder’s qualities were highlighted by the fact he won the Premier League Player of the Month award six times.

Gerrard is one of six players from a 23-man shortlist inducted into the Hall of Fame after receiving the most combined votes from the public and the Premier League Panel.

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RUBEN DIAS WINS FWA PREMIER LEAGUE PLAYER OF THE SEASON

Manchester City’s Ruben Dias has won the prestigious Football Writers’ Association Player of the Year award, beating Tottenham’s Harry Kane and City teammate Kevin De Bruyne.

Centre-back Dias has enjoyed a fine debut season at City following his move from Benfica last summer, becoming an integral figure in Pep Guardiola’s title-winning team. He becomes the first defender to win the award since Liverpool’s Steve Nicol in 1989.

Overall, nine City players received votes which accounted for over 50% of those cast and FWA chair Carrie Brown said: “Ruben Dias turned heads soon after his arrival in Manchester, a 23- year-old belying his age with fortitude, steel, a relentless drive for perfection and an almost superhuman ability to read and anticipate phases of play.

“This, while commendable, would not alone qualify a player to win the FWA Footballer of the Year award. One of our founding members, Charles Buchan, prescribed the award to recognise and celebrate a player who ‘by precept and example’ is considered to be the footballer of the year.

“Pep Guardiola improves players, shapes them but at no point, has a new signing arrived into one of Pep’s already trophy-laden teams and exerted such influence.

“Dias has demanded the highest standards which have resulted in the swiftest of upturns in fortune not solely for Dias himself, but team-mates to his left, right, front and centre.

“Ruben Dias is our Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year for his leadership on and off the pitch as much as for the infectious joy he derives from executing the art of defending to perfection.”

Dias, 23, started in City’s Carabao Cup final win over Tottenham on April 25, and will look to feature in the club’s first-ever Champions League final against Chelsea on May 29. The Portugal international has made 61 appearances for club and country so far this season.

He signed for City from Benfica for £68 million plus add-ons and quickly imposed himself at the heart of Guardiola’s defence.

“He’s not just a player who plays good, he’s a player who makes the other guys play good too,” the City manager said in February.

“It’s 90 minutes talking, 90 minutes communicating, 90 minutes saying what they have to do in every single action. When that happens, [he is] undroppable.”

Voted for by the FWA members since 1947, the first recipient of the award was Sir Stanley Matthews. Dias succeeds last year’s winner, Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson.

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SAMI KHEDIRA RETIRES FROM FOOTBALL

Germany’s World Cup-winning midfielder Sami Khedira said he will retire following his club Hertha Berlin’s final match of the Bundesliga season against Hoffenheim on Saturday.

Khedira, 34, began his career at VfB Stuttgart and helped them win the league title in the 2006-07 season before moving to Real Madrid, where he won the league and Champions League in a trophy-laden spell.

Khedira went on to win five Serie A titles at Juventus after joining them in 2015 and left for Hertha three months ago, playing eight games for the team as they avoided relegation.

“After the match on Saturday it’s time to say goodbye,” Khedira said on Twitter. “So proud that I had the chance to experience all these special moments with you. Thanks to all the fans, team mates, coaches and of course my family and friends.”

Khedira played 77 games for Germany scoring seven goals and helped them win the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

“It’s a pretty tough step and it’s hard for me to talk about, but it’s the right decision,” Khedira said of his decision to retire at a news conference on Wednesday.

“Fifteen years in professional soccer have left their mark and I have to honestly judge what I can and cannot do. And at the end of the day, gratitude outweighs everything that I was able to experience.”

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SAM ALLARDYCE TO STEP DOWN AS WESTBROM MANAGER AT THE END OF THE SEASON

Sam Allardyce said he will step down as West Bromwich Albion manager at the end of the season after Wednesday’s 3-1 home defeat by West Ham United in the Premier League.

Allardyce took charge in December after Slaven Bilic was sacked, but Allardyce was unable to save the Midlands club from an immediate return to the Championship.

It is the first time the much-travelled Allardyce has been in charge of a team relegated from the top-flight.

“West Bromwich Albion made me a generous offer to stay at The Hawthorns that shows the commitment of an ambitious club,” Allardyce said in a statement.

“After serious consideration I have decided not to accept that offer.”

Allardyce, who has a reputation for guiding teams to safety, took charge with West Brom already in deep trouble, having won only one of their opening 13 games.

He improved performances, and in April, after back-to-back wins including an incredible 5-2 victory over Chelsea, it seemed that Allardyce might manage a great escape for West Brom.

But a 3-1 defeat by Arsenal on May 9 condemned them to a second relegation from the top-flight in four seasons.

“The club have asked for my opinion on the qualities my successor will require, and I have been more than happy to offer my thoughts,” Allardyce said.

“The search for my replacement starts after the final game of the season at Leeds United.

“In the meantime, we will be concentrating fully on the preparation for that game and will do everything we can to finish the season with as many points as possible.”

Allardyce’s longtime assistant Sammy Lee and first team coach Robbie Stockdale will also depart the club.

Interviewed by Sky Sports after the defeat by his old club West Ham, an agitated Allardyce offered a rather ironic take on his decision to step aside.

“You all know I am a short-term manager, you have all seen me like that for the last six years,” he said. “That is me, that is where I lie and that is what you continue to think.

“I haven’t been more than that [a firefighter] for the last six or seven years because that is all you lot talk about.”

He also took offence at West Ham striker Michail Antonio’s description of West Brom’s style as direct.

“If you thought that was long ball today then somebody is deluded,” Allardyce said.

Sporting and technical director, Luke Dowling, said: “Sam, Sammy and Robbie came in at a really difficult time for the football club and worked tirelessly in their efforts to keep the club in the Premier League.

“Ultimately, we were unable to accumulate the points total required to keep us here, but Sam certainly restored pride with a number of resilient displays.”