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Archive May 8, 2025

‘Man Utd know how to win trophies. Tottenham don’t’

By in News, Sports News
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Manchester United and Tottenham will meet in an all-English Europa League final on 21 May.

Ruben Amorim’s United saw off Spanish side Athletic Bilbao 7-1 on aggregate in their semi-final to progress, while Spurs got the better of Norwegians Bodo/Glimt 5-1 on aggregate.

United are looking to win the Europa League for the second time in eight years, while Tottenham are bidding to end a 41-year wait for European success.

It is the sixth all-English final in any major European competition – with half of them involving Spurs.

‘A titanic battle’ – who will triumph in Bilbao?

Tottenham are looking to win a first trophy of any kind in 17 years and they will fancy themselves as favourites for the game in Bilbao, having beaten United three times already this season.

Spurs won 3-0 at Old Trafford and 1-0 at home in the Premier League and also triumphed 4-3 in the League Cup.

“If you think in the odds it’s hard for the club to lose four times in a row,” United boss Ruben Amorim said. “We can think that way.”

Former Tottenham midfielder Glenn Hoddle agreed that it would be difficult for Spurs to win again.

“To beat a team four times also from the Premier League in one season is really tough,” Hoddle said on TNT Sports.

He added: “It will be a titanic battle. Spurs have had the upper hand at the moment but United will be looking for revenge.”

United last won the Europa League in 2016-17, when Jose Mourinho was manager.

Despite the club’s poor season domestically, ex-Red Devils midfielder Paul Scholes is confident his former side will rise to the occasion in the final.

He said: “For some reason, the history of this club is almost like Real Madrid at times – when they aren’t playing that well they can still go on and win European cups.

Tottenham players celebrate scoring at Manchester United earlier this season Getty Images

The final that’s ‘going to upset a lot of people’?

Manchester United and Tottenham have struggled domestically this season as they sit 15th and 16th respectively in the Premier League.

However, a European trophy will ensure the campaign will ultimately be viewed as a successful one.

“It’s going to upset a lot of people isn’t it?” said Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou.

“Neither us will get a trophy if we win, we’re just going to take a team picture.

“Who cares if we’re struggling in the league?

“This club and others have finished first, second and third in the Premier League and haven’t made finals. I couldn’t care less who is struggling and who’s not.

Who are favourites to win?

Spurs’ impressive record over United extends further back than just this season.

They have won four of the past six meetings in all competitions, with United last beating them 2-0 in the Premier League in October 2022.

But data analysts Opta have made United slight favourites to triumph in the final.

Their supercomputer gives the Red Devils a 50.7% chance of lifting the Europa League trophy, with Tottenham at 49.3%.

“I think the final is poised to be absolutely brilliant,” former Manchester City midfielder Izzy Christiansen said on TNT Sports.

What information do we collect from this quiz?

How does England get a sixth Champions League place?

Premier League table - bottom six

The winners of the Europa League go into the following season’s Champions League, regardless of where they finish domestically.

So a United v Spurs final guarantees one of them a return to the mega-riches of European football’s top table.

That rule is handy for United and Spurs, who are both more than 20 points behind fifth place.

Without winning the Europa League, neither of them will be in any European competition next season.

It would not have any knock-on effect on any other English teams – with the top five guaranteed a Champions League spot through the league.

Man Utd v Spurs final would mean ‘lowest-ranked winner’ of Europa League

United and Tottenham’s unusually poor domestic seasons mean that if both teams reach the Europa League final next week and stay in their current Premier League positions, the winner would be the lowest-ranked domestic side to win the competition in the past 15 years.

Opta data shows that since the Europa League was rebranded in 2009-10, no team finishing lower than 12th in their domestic league has competed in the final or won it.

Sevilla (12th) won the tournament in 2023, while Fulham (12th) lost the final in 2010.

And this is also the first season with new league phase formats in Europe – previously teams who finished third in their Champions League groups would drop into the Europa League, in theory making the competition harder to win.

Has the lack of Champions League teams boosted Man Utd and Spurs’ chances?

In previous years, teams who were eliminated from the first phase of the Champions League dropped into the Europa League.

But that changed from this season after Uefa club competitions underwent their biggest changes for more than a decade.

That likely boosted United and Tottenham’s chances of reaching the final because in the past 15 seasons 10 finalists were sides who dropped from the Champions League.

What were the other all-English finals?

Tottenham celebrate 1972 Uefa CupGetty Images

The first Uefa Cup in 1971-72 was between Tottenham and Wolves in a two-legged final.

Spurs won the first leg 2-1 at Molineux, with Martin Chivers scoring twice, and drew 1-1 at White Hart Lane two weeks later.

It would take 36 years for the next all-English final, which was in the 2007-08 Champions League as Manchester United beat Chelsea on penalties in Moscow.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Frank Lampard traded goals before a shootout that is best remembered for John Terry’s miss after slipping.

There were two all-English finals in 2018-19.

Liverpool beat Tottenham 2-0 in the Champions League in Madrid, with goals from Mohamed Salah and Divock Origi.

And Chelsea saw off Arsenal 4-1 in Baku in the Europa League, with Eden Hazard netting twice in his final game for the club.

A graphic showing descriptions of past all-English finalsBBC Sport

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Spurs Reach Europa League Final To Keep Postecoglou’s Trophy Boast Alive

By in News, sport-news

Tottenham kept alive their hopes of ending a 17-year trophy drought and saving Ange Postecoglou from the sack as they beat Bodo/Glimt 2-0 on Thursday to book a Europa League final clash against Manchester United.

After winning the semi-final first leg 3-1 last week, Postecoglou’s troubled side weathered the storm in a second leg played in gale-force winds in Norway.

Dominic Solanke and Pedro Porro netted in the second half as Tottenham’s 5-1 aggregate victory secured their place in the final in Bilbao on May 21.

United thrashed Athletic Bilbao 7-1 on aggregate to set up the showdown between the Premier League’s two biggest underachievers this season.

Tottenham have already beaten United three times this season, winning 3-0 and 1-0 in the Premier League and 4-3 in the League Cup.

The north Londoners are aiming to win their first European trophy since the 1984 UEFA Cup and their first silverware in any competition since the League Cup in 2008.

Tottenham’s last four finals have all ended in defeat, most notably the 2019 Champions League showpiece against Liverpool, while they were also beaten in the 2009, 2015 and 2021 League Cup finals.

Ending that dismal streak would fulfil Postecoglou’s bold boast earlier this season that he always win a trophy in his second season.

“We knew it was a difficult place to come. We’re aware of the record they have here, the pitch. The lads handled it well. Excited, we’re in a final,” Postecoglou said.

“You understand the context of what this football club has been trying to achieve for quite a while.

“We’ve overcome adversity this season. We’ve grown in maturity and we understand exactly what’s required. I think that’s where we won the game.”

Despite languishing in 16th place in the Premier League, Europa League glory for Tottenham would also secure a place in next season’s Champions League.

Whether that will be enough to spare the beleaguered Postecoglou from the sack is another matter.

The Australian has admitted the general perception outside Tottenham is he faces the sack regardless of the Europa League run because their domestic form has been so bad.

With three games left in the top-flight season, Tottenham are in danger of their worst finish since they were relegated in 1976-77.

United are just one place above Tottenham in the English top flight after an equally woeful campaign.

Composed Tottenham

Based just north of the Arctic Circle, Bodo/Glimt were the first Norwegian team to play in a major European semi-final.

Kjetil Knutsen’s side stunned Lazio in the quarter-finals after beating Porto, Maccabi Tel Aviv, Olympiakos, Besiktas and Twente earlier in the tournament.

It was a remarkable achievement for a side from a fishing town with a population of barely 50,000.

Playing in icy temperatures and persistent rain on artificial turf at the tiny 8,270-capacity Aspmyra Stadium, it would have been in keeping with Tottenham’s turbulent campaign if they had become the minnows’ latest scalp.

But Tottenham kept their composure, delivering a committed display to retain their chance of salvaging their wretched season.

Porro went close early on with a 25-yard free-kick that was superbly tipped over by Nikita Haikin.

In the howling wind, Patrick Berg’s swirling free-kick forced Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario to claw it away at full stretch.

In contrast to their usual ultra-attacking tactics, Tottenham were content to sit back and hit on the counter, often slowing the game down so much that Vicario was booked for time-wasting.

The plan worked a treat as Bodo/Glimt struggled to establish any momentum before Solanke scored in the 63rd minute.

Cristian Romero rose highest to head goalwards and Solanke pounced with a predatory close-range finish.

Porro killed off the Norwegians six minutes later when the right-back’s cross dipped in at the far post with Haikin rooted to the spot.

Postecoglou could finally breathe a sigh of relief on the touchline as Tottenham celebrated a rare uplifting moment in a season of angst.

Man Utd beat Athletic Club to set up Europa League final with Tottenham

By in News, World News

Manchester United produced a dramatic late comeback to beat Athletic Club 4-1 in the Europa League and complete an emphatic 7-1 aggregate semifinal victory, setting up a mouthwatering showpiece against Tottenham.

Fireworks crackled and red smoke filled an expectant Old Trafford on Thursday following an impressive 3-0 win against 10-man Athletic in northern Spain last week.

But the air of excitement was tinged by the knowledge that Ruben Amorim’s United have shown a startling ability to implode during a horrendous Premier League season.

Perhaps, little to anyone’s surprise, Amorim’s United, much like most of the club’s teams that preceded him, had to do it the hard way. Trailing with 18 minutes to play, the substitutes were thrown on – including Mason Mount, who produced two brilliant goals to illuminate the Theatre of Dreams and turn the game on the night.

Mason Mount of Manchester United scores a goal to make it 1-1 on the night [Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images]

Amorim reverted to the team that started in the first leg, making eight changes following Sunday’s 4-3 defeat against Brentford.

Dani Vivian was suspended after his red card last week, and coach Ernesto Valverde was also hamstrung by the absence of brothers Nico and Inaki Williams, as well as top-scorer Oihan Sancet.

Mikel Jauregizar silenced the home fans and gave the visitors hope on the night with a stunning strike in the 31st minute.

For long periods of the match, the visitors looked more dangerous, and the game needed substitute Mount to settle the home supporters’ nerves with his 72nd-minute strike.

The match totally changed complexion as Casemiro, Rasmus Hojlund and Mount again scored.

epa12085065 Rasmus Hojlund (R) of Manchester United scoring the third goal of his team during the UEFA Europa League semi-finals 2nd leg soccer match between Manchester United and Athletic Club, in Manchester, Britain, 08 May 2025. EPA-EFE/ADAM VAUGHAN
Rasmus Hojlund of Manchester United tapped in his side’s third goal of the game [Adam Vaughan/EPA]

It means United have kept alive their hopes of eking something out of a terrible season.

Winning Europe’s second-tier club trophy crucially guarantees a place in the Champions League, which would boost United’s chances of attracting top talent as Amorim attempts a monumental rebuild.

United were heavy favourites to complete the job on home turf, but injury-hit Athletic nursed a grievance after defender Vivian was sent off in Spain.

They enjoyed the bulk of the early possession but struggled to fashion clear-cut chances and looked nervous when the visitors attacked.

Athletic midfielder Alex Berenguer had a good early opportunity after the home side failed to clear, but his curling shot sailed over the bar as he aimed for the top corner.

The midfielder created another chance after a surging run midway through the half, but fired wide of Andre Onana’s post from just outside the area.

United feel the nerves in Manchester

But the visitors broke the deadlock in sensational style after half an hour to give themselves hope when Jauregizar picked his spot from outside the box and curled past Onana.

The goal came after some sloppy work from United’s defence. Harry Maguire played a ball across the box and Alvaro Djalo smashed a shot against Leny Yoro.

The ball fell to Jauregizar, who could not have hit the ball more sweetly.

United struggled for attacking rhythm but should have been level shortly before half-time.

The stadium held its breath as Alejandro Garnacho was put through by the lively Patrick Dorgu, but his attempted dink over the goalkeeper went wide.

Soccer Football - Europa League - Semi Final - Second Leg - Manchester United v Athletic Bilbao - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - May 8, 2025 Manchester United's Alejandro Garnacho shoots at goal as Athletic Bilbao's Julen Agirrezabala reacts Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho spurned his side’s best chance of the first half [Jason Cairnduff/Reuters]

United offered little going forward in the early stages of the second half as Athletic made the running, forcing United to hack clear on multiple occasions.

Both teams made a triple change just after the hour mark. Shortly afterwards, Unai Gomez headed the ball across the goal and it bounced just wide of the post.

Injury-hit Mount has been a peripheral figure in his two seasons at Old Trafford, but produced a fine finish, swivelling and curling the ball into the far corner for his first.

Casemiro scored a second with his head from a Bruno Fernandes cross as United’s earlier nerves were completely forgotten.

Hojlund poked home in the 85th minute before Mount scored an outrageous second from near the halfway line after Athletic goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala came out of his box and made a poor clearance.

Chelsea Ease Past Djurgarden To Reach Conference League Final

By in News, sport-news

Chelsea advanced to the final of the UEFA Conference League after a 1-0 win over Swedish side Djurgarden on Thursday sealed a 5-1 aggregate victory in their last-four tie.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall struck the only goal at Stamford Bridge late in the first half on a night 16-year-old Reggie Walsh became the youngest player to start a European game for Chelsea.

The Blues can become the first club to win all three of UEFA’s current competitions if they beat either two-time runners-up Fiorentina or Real Betis in Wroclaw on May 28.

Defender Marc Cucurella was the only player retained from the team that beat Liverpool in the Premier League last weekend as manager Enzo Maresca made sweeping changes to his line-up with an eye on Sunday’s crucial game at Newcastle.

The Italian has been criticised for his cautious tactics but he has fifth-placed Chelsea on course to qualify for the Champions League via a top-five finish in England.

Teenage midfielder Walsh made his debut off the bench in the 4-1 win in Stockholm a week ago as Chelsea seized control of the tie, but that result didn’t deter some 6,000 Djurgarden fans from making the trip to London for the second leg.

Dewsbury-Hall and Tyrique George forced saves from Djurgarden goalkeeper Jacob Rinne before the two Chelsea players combined to put the hosts in front in the 38th minute.

George threaded a pass through for Dewsbury-Hall who accelerated past a couple of defenders before sweeping in a crisp finish via the base of the post.

That goal killed off any remote hopes for Djurgarden, the first Swedish club to appear in a European semi-final since Gothenburg won the 1986-87 UEFA Cup.

Dewsbury-Hall had a chance to double his tally when he headed Malo Gusto’s cross straight at Rinne, but the visitors rarely threatened with the exception of a long-range shot from Daniel Stensson that was tipped over by Filip Jorgensen.

Chelsea haven’t won a major trophy since the 2021 Champions League, but they will be strong favourites to win their first silverware since Todd Boehly’s consortium took over from Roman Abramovich three years ago.

Man Utd Thrash Athletic Bilbao To Set Up Spurs Europa League Final

By in News, sport-news

Manchester United beat Athletic Bilbao 4-1 in the Europa League on Thursday to complete an emphatic 7-1 aggregate semi-final victory, setting up a mouthwatering showpiece against Tottenham.

Fireworks crackled and red smoke filled an expectant Old Trafford following an impressive 3-0 win against 10-man Athletic in northern Spain last week.

But the air of excitement was tinged by the knowledge that Ruben Amorim’s United have shown a startling ability to implode during a horrendous Premier League season.

Amorim reverted to the team that started in the first leg, making eight changes following Sunday’s 4-3 defeat against Brentford.

Dani Vivian was suspended after his red card last week and coach Ernesto Valverde was also hamstrung by the absence of brothers Nico and Inaki Williams as well as top-scorer Oihan Sancet.

Mikel Jauregizar silenced the home fans and gave the visitors hope on the night with a stunning strike in the 31st minute.

For long periods of the match the visitors looked more dangerous but substitute Mason Mount settled the home supporters’ nerves with 18 minutes to go.

The match totally changed complexion as Casemiro, Rasmus Hojlund and Mount again scored.

It means United have kept alive their hopes of eking something out of a terrible season.

Winning Europe’s second-tier club trophy crucially guarantees a place in the Champions League, which would boost United’s chances of attracting top talent as Amorim attempts a monumental rebuild.

United were heavy favourites to complete the job on home turf but injury-hit Athletic nursed a grievance after defender Vivian was sent off in Spain.

They enjoyed the bulk of the early possession but struggled to fashion clear-cut chances and looked nervous when the visitors attacked.

Athletic midfielder Alex Berenguer had a good early opportunity after the home side failed to clear but his curling shot sailed over the bar as he aimed for the top corner.

The midfielder created another chance after a surging run midway through the half but fired wide of Andre Onana’s post from just outside the area.

READ ALSO: Man Utd Have ‘Big Responsibility’ To Win Europa League — Amorim

United nerves

Manchester United’s English midfielder #07 Mason Mount (C) celebrates with Manchester United’s English defender #41 Harry Amass (R) and Manchester United’s English midfielder #37 Kobbie Mainoo (L) after scoring Manchester United’s fourth goal during the UEFA Europa League semi final second leg football match between Manchester United and Athletic Club Bilbao at Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, north west England, on May 8, 2025. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP)

But the visitors broke the deadlock in sensational style after half an hour to give themselves hope when Jauregizar picked his spot from outside the box and curled past Onana.

The goal came after some sloppy work from United’s defence. Harry Maguire played a ball across the box and Alvaro Djalo smashed a shot against Leny Yoro.

The ball fell to Jauregizar, who could not have hit the ball more sweetly.

United struggled for attacking rhythm but should have been level shortly before half-time.

The stadium held its breath as Alejandro Garnacho was put through by the lively Patrick Dorgu but his attempted dink over the goalkeeper went wide.

United offered little going forward in the early stages of the second half as Athletic made the running, forcing United to hack clear on multiple occasions.

Both teams made a triple change just after the hour mark. Shortly afterwards Unai Gomez headed the ball across the goal and it bounced just wide of the post.

Injury-hit Mount has been a peripheral figure in his two seasons at Old Trafford but produced a fine finish, swivelling and curling the ball into the far corner in the 72nd minute.

Casemiro scored a second with his head from a Bruno Fernandes cross as United’s earlier nerves were completely forgotten.

Hojlund poked home in the 85th minute before Mount scored an outrageous second from near the halfway line after Athletic goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala came out of his box and made a poor clearance.

United will face Tottenham in the final in Bilbao on May 21.

PSL to finish rest of season in UAE

By in News, Sports News
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Matthew Henry
BBC Sport journalist

The Pakistan Super League will move the remaining matches of the season to the United Arab Emirates amid the ongoing tensions between Pakistan and India.

Pakistan says 31 people have been killed and 57 injured by air strikes in the country and Pakistan-administered Kashmir since Wednesday morning as India responds to a deadly militant attack on Indian tourists in Kashmir last month.

A Pakistan Cricket Board official told BBC Sport one drone misfired and led to an explosion in the street behind the stadium in Rawalpindi. The BBC has been unable to verify these claims.

The PSL had been looking at all options for the remainder of the campaign, including halting the tournament for a number of weeks.

The exact schedule for the rest of the tournament, including dates and venues in the UAE, has yet to be confirmed.

Players at the PSL, including those from England, took part in an emergency meeting held by tournament organisers on Thursday.

James Vince, Chris Jordan, Tom Curran, David Willey, Sam Billings, Luke Wood and Tom Kohler-Cadmore are the English players involved in the PSL, while there are also English coaches at various franchises.

PSL organisers remain keen for the tournament, which has eight fixtures outstanding, to be completed, but the safety of players remains their priority.

A senior Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official told BBC Sport: “If Rawalpindi is not safe, Lahore and Karachi are not safe because drones also attacked there. Any city of Pakistan is not safe because the drones have targeted smaller cities of Pakistan.”

The seven English players held separate discussions over whether to return to the UK, with a split in opinion over whether to remain.

Talks took place with the Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA) on Wednesday to discuss the situation. It is understood feelings among those in Pakistan were mixed.

Other leading overseas names in the PSL include Australian David Warner (Karachi Kings) and former West Indies captain Jason Holder (Islamabad United).

The UK foreign office currently advises against all but essential travel within five miles of the international border between Pakistan and India.

The Indian Premier League match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals began as planned in Dharamsala on Thursday, but was called off after 10.1 overs after the floodlights went out.

Sunday’s match between the Kings and Mumbai Indians has been moved from Dharamsala to Ahmedabad.

Dharamsala is in the state of Himachal Pradesh, which borders Kashmir, and flights were cancelled to its airport on Wednesday, making it difficult for Mumbai Indians to travel.

“The venue change has been necessitated due to logistical challenges,” India’s cricket board (BCCI) said in a statement.

Twenty-six civilians were killed in Indian-administered Kashmir last month and India has accused Pakistan of supporting militants behind the attack – an allegation the neighbouring country has rejected.

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