When Jesse Marsch was hired to revitalize a struggling Leeds United earlier this year, the Ted Lasso comparisons were everywhere, British media members incapable of treating Marsch like his own man. Now, Leeds’ American coach can separate himself from the TV manager.
In his first season, Ted Lasso’s fictional AFC Richmond was relegated. In his first season, Jesse Marsch’s Leeds United survived.
Manchester City saved its season in five minutes, 36 seconds. And Andrés Cantor showed why he’s one of the best announcers in the world.
Just when it looked like the impossible might happen, that Liverpool might usurp Man City on the final day against all odds, Pep Guardiola’s men turned things around faster than you can say “what the hell just happened?!”
Despite all the hype, cup finals and semifinals tend to disappoint. Nerves take hold of the players, and the play on the pitch is dictated by a fear of losing rather than a desire to win. These matches become cagey affairs defined by midfield battles and long clearances, both caused by an aversion to conceding.
This week was different. The FA Cup final was an end-to-end affair, the notoriously-prudent EFL Championship playoff semifinals were both entertaining affairs and the Europa League final was an emotive footballing masterclass.
The English Football Association is investigating all incidents of fans invading the field and has condemned their "anti-social behaviour" as completely unacceptable.
The FA's statement comes after Everton fans invaded the pitch at Goodison Park following Dominic Calvert-Lewin's 85th-minute winner and at the final whistle of Thursday's 3-2 victory over Crystal Palace, which secured their spot in the Premier League next season.
Christian Pulisic probably didn’t get any good sleep on Thursday night after he missed a golden opportunity against Leicester City during Premier League action. Wednesday’s sitter was the latest in a worryingly growing Pulisic miss compilation.
In the span of a year, Pulisic has had a high number of misses from close range. Here’s the full Pulisic miss compilation that spans from May 2021 through May 2022. We’ll start with Thursday’s missed chance.
Relegation can create the most horrible feeling in sports. It can also create the most beautiful moments.
It doesn’t get much better than watching a club, playing at home, secure survival against all odds. On Saturday, we saw Stuttgart stay in the Bundesliga thanks to a 92nd-minute goal on the final day of the season. On Thursday, it was Everton’s turn.
América will have a busy summer with world-class friendlies. A few days ago, the Mexican club announced a game against Manchester City — in which we might see Erling Haaland wearing the sky blue jersey for the first time — and now we can confirm they will also be playing against Chelsea.
Nottinghamshire Police on Wednesday arrested a 31-year-old man on suspicion of assault after Sheffield United's Billy Sharp was attacked on the pitch at the end of the second leg of their Championship playoff semifinal at Nottingham Forest.
Forest supporters ran onto the pitch when the hosts sealed a 3-2 win on penalties, after the tie was locked 3-3 on aggregate. Television cameras showed an individual approach Blades striker Sharp on the sidelines and attack him.
After an arduous but entertaining eight-month season, the 2021-22 Premier League campaign has come down to a span of four days for a battle between three clubs to see which two sides will remain in the Premier League next year.
Just a single point separates 18th from 17th and 17th from 16th, and with games in hand, the permutations become innumerable. Here's how the table looks at the moment, with Everton, Leeds and Burnley occupying 16 through 18th, respectively:
Arsenal’s hopes of returning to the Champions League were all but extinguished on Monday at St. James’ Park. Tottenham fans can thank the toothless Callum Wilson for his heroics.
In his first start of 2022, Newcastle striker Callum Wilson had a tooth knocked loose in the first half, gruesomely caught on camera.
Content warning: The images below show Callum Wilson’s tooth flopping loose from his gums. It’s not pretty.
OUCH