Category Sports News

It came as something of a surprise when London City Lionesses announced they had parted company with manager Jocelyn Precheur last month.

The Frenchman had led the club to the Women’s Super League 2 trophy last season, securing promotion to the top flight for the first time in their short history.

And they were sixth at the halfway point of their debut WSL campaign, with five wins from the first 11 league matches, when Precheur was sacked.

But the controversial decision was not based on results.

Owner Michele Kang wanted a coach capable of implementing a unique style of football – one that aligns with the club’s vision of playing in European competition by 2027.

Maestre’s last job was at CD Tenerife Femenino in Spain’s top-tier, where he guided them to a sixth-placed finish last season.

He resigned from the side – based in the Canary Islands – in December, with the club fifth.

“Without a doubt, Eder Maestre was one of the most talented coaches in the Liga F, and it was expected that sooner or later he would get an opportunity like this one with London City,” Spanish football journalist Marta Grinan told BBC Sport.

Maestre himself said the job was one he could not refuse.

“When I resigned at Tenerife, I was thinking of getting home, taking some rest days, but in a few days, my agent says to me that I have a lot of options to join some clubs, and one of them was London City,” said the Spaniard.

“This, in my opinion now, is the best female project in football. So I cannot say no.”

When Maestre held his first press conference on Friday, he repeatedly returned to his two core principles – ambition and humility.

“I’m here – very far from my family – because I am that ambitious,” he added.

“I want to be a piece in the new building steps, they [London City Lionesses] are trying to become a top level club in the world.”

The 39-year-old’s sense of purpose is rooted in how closely the club’s vision mirrors his own personal values.

“One of my own phrases is ‘dream big, great realities’,” said Maestre.

“The club goals are very aligned to my individual values in my life, so this alignment gave me confidence to try to use this this season to keep building that foundation, to dream big in the next one.”

While he is fully aware of London City’s desire to stand alongside the elite of women’s football, he believes progress must be rooted in humility.

“If you want to win, the first step or the first pillar is being humble, respecting the opponent that you have faced,” Maestre explained.

“We cannot lose the humble vision this season, because it’s going to be a very strong pillar to build and continue building the foundations.

Maestre describes himself as a “perfectionist” with a love of the English game.

“I am from the north of Spain, and the Basque Country is very connected to British mood,” he said.

“I’ve loved English football since I was a child, it’s my favourite league, I know a lot of the players, I grow with that energy.”

While Maestre might have been inspired by English football, Grinan believes his three seasons as assistant manager to Natalia Arroyo – now Aston Villa’s manager – at Real Sociedad has heavily influenced his playing style.

“He is a modern coach, a tactician and very demanding of his players and their talent. He has always advocated possession football, intelligent pressing and verticality when looking for goals,” said Grinan.

“His season and a half with Tenerife was spectacular, and in Spain we are very happy that he is now one of the coaches who will take the particularities of our country’s style of football, tiki-taka, to a country like England.”

Regardless of his tactical approach, Maestre insists there is only one thing on his mind.

Sixth-tier Macclesfield could lay claim to having produced the greatest shock in the FA Cup’s 155-year history.

The National League North side defeated FA Cup holders Crystal Palace 2-1 on Saturday despite being ranked 117 league places below the Premier League club.

That makes it the biggest shock in the competition’s history in terms of difference in league position.

But where would you place it among the biggest surprises in football’s oldest cup competition?

Despite being 117 league places below their opponents, Macclesfield thoroughly deserved to win.

Paul Dawson’s brilliant header in the first half sent the home fans delirious, before Isaac Buckley-Ricketts prodded in a second after the break.

Yeremy Pino set up a nervous finish for the hosts when he fired home a free-kick in stoppage time, but Macclesfield held out.

Palace arrived in Cheshire with an injury-hit squad and without a win in eight games, but few expected them to lose less than eight months after beating Manchester City in the 2024-25 FA Cup final.

The victory is made even more remarkable by the fact that this iteration of Macclesfield was only started playing in 2021-22.

The club is the successor of Macclesfield Town, who were liquidated and expelled from the National League in 2020 because of huge debts.

When Bournemouth were drawn to face FA Cup holders Manchester United in the third round in 1984, few people gave the struggling Third Division side much chance of causing an upset.

But led by young and inexperienced boss Harry Redknapp, the Cherries produced one of the biggest shocks in the tournament’s history. Bournemouth matched United for an hour before five dramatic minutes brought goals from Milton Graham and Ian Thompson, and gave them a 2-0 lead.

Despite boasting a star-studded side that included England captain Bryan Robson, United could not deny Bournemouth a famous victory.

League Two Stevenage, enjoying their first season of league football, beat Premier League Newcastle with a dominant performance.

The underdogs enjoyed more of the possession and more of the shots to hand their opponents their biggest cup upset since they were defeated by non-league Hereford in 1972 – more on that shortly.

Stacy Long’s deflected strike gave Stevenage the lead, before Michael Bostwick added a second. Cheick Tiote’s dismissal did not help Newcastle’s cause and even though Joey Barton pulled one back, Peter Winn sealed a famous victory.

It was surely written in the stars that Shrewsbury, managed by Everton’s most successful captain Kevin Ratcliffe, would cause an upset against his former club.

Everton were pushing for a place in Europe and boasted a 17-year-old Wayne Rooney among their ranks, but were dominated by a Shrewsbury side 80 places below them in the pyramid.

Shrewsbury’s 34-year-old captain Nigel Jemson opened the scoring with a stunning free-kick and then, after Niclas Alexandersson equalised, the veteran struck again with a header to send the Shrews into the fourth round.

Arne Slot made 10 changes to his Liverpool side after they had won an EFL Cup semi-final in their previous game – and they were made to pay.

Eight minutes after the interval, the Pilgrims were awarded a penalty after Harvey Elliott’s handball and Ryan Hardie drilled home from the spot in emphatic fashion.

Hardie almost added a second shortly afterwards when his shot was turned on to the post by Liverpool keeper Caoimhin Kelleher.

Bradford ranked 49 places below their opponents as they travelled to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea, who at that point were top of the Premier League.

Gary Cahill and Ramires netted to put the hosts 2-0 up and give Chelsea firm control of the fourth-round tie.

Bradford had other ideas, though, as Jon Stead pulled one back before Filipe Morais side-footed in an equaliser.

Premier League giants Liverpool had ample strength at Boundary Park, with Luis Suarez, Raheem Sterling and Daniel Sturridge all starting.

League One hosts Oldham were in the midst of financial problems but produced a spirited display against the odds, with Matt Smith nodding in a Youssouf M’Changama cross to open the scoring.

Suarez levelled, but Smith soon took advantage of an error from Liverpool goalkeeper Brad Jones before Reece Wabara netted a back-post header to give the Latics a 3-1 lead.

Arsenal were reigning First Division champions and second in the top flight. Wrexham had finished the previous season bottom of the Fourth Division.

The Gunners made the trip to Wales as firm favourites and were just 10 minutes from securing a spot in the fourth round after Alan Smith’s first-half opener.

Sutton United had a memorable cup run in 2016-17, beating three EFL teams – including Leeds United – before losing to Arsenal in the fifth round.

They have also produced one of the biggest shocks of all time.

The non-league side took on a Coventry team who were then in the First Division and had won the FA Cup in 1987.

Top-flight Newcastle were beaten in the third round of the FA Cup by non-league opposition when they took on Hereford United in 1972.

Hereford took the tie to a replay after a 2-2 draw at St James’ Park, but Newcastle looked destined to make it to the fourth round thanks to a late goal by Malcolm McDonald in the rematch.

However, the non-leaguers had other ideas and Ronnie Radford popped up to score the most famous 30-yard goal in FA Cup history to take the game into extra time.

Investec Champions Cup

Clermont Auvergne (7) 21

Tries: Moala, Penalty, Simone Cons: Plummer 2

Glasgow Warriors (26) 33

Glasgow Warriors booked a spot in the last 16 of the Investec Champions Cup with an outstanding bonus-point win at Clermont Auvergne.

Euan Ferrie, Huw Jones, Kyle Steyn and Jack Dempsey crossed in the first half for Glasgow to lead 26-7 at the break, with George Moala’s try the solitary Clermont response.

The hosts added a penalty try, Glasgow lost two men to the sin-bin and Irae Simone crossed as the French side threatened a comeback, but Steyn’s second try ensured Glasgow made it three bonus-point wins from three in the pool stage.

Jones, returning from injury to make his first appearance since the Lions series last summer, made a trademark break from deep in the opening few minutes that put Clermont on the backfoot.

A cynical knock-on from Clermont flanker Pita-Gus Sowakula resulted in a trip to the bin and after a succession of penalties, wing Steyn claimed a lineout, from which Ferrie powered over at the back of a rolling maul to give Glasgow the lead.

Jones looked threatening every time he got his hands on the ball and he showed lightning speed to exploit a mismatch in the Clermont midfield and race in for Glasgow’s second try.

Franco Smith’s side were bossing it and they extended their advantage as Jones dinked a clever kick over the top for Kyle Rowe, who then released Steyn to run in under the sticks.

Clermont finally showed signs of life when Moala burst through to score, but Jones and Rowe combined to send Dempsey over to wrap up the bonus point before half-time.

It was a stroll in the park for Glasgow, until it wasn’t.

Patrick Schikerling and George Horne were yellow-carded for cynical play in preventing a Clermont try, the penalty try was awarded and Warriors were down to 13 men.

The Scots navigated most of the 10-minute numerical disadvantage well, but were carved open by a superb Clermont counter-attack – finished off by Simone – just before their full complement was restored.

From a relative cruise at 26-7, Glasgow’s lead had been slashed to five points, setting up a grandstand finish.

Dan Lancaster and Matt Fagerson were held up over the Clermont line as the visitors looked to put the game beyond reach.

They eventually landed the killer blow when substitute Max Williamson went rampaging downfield, before feeding it wide for Steyn to stroll over in the corner.

Clermont Auvergne: Guillaud, Delguy, Loaloa, Moala, Fall, Plummer, Zamora; Lotrian, Massa, Dzmanashvili, Lanen, Simmons, Tixeront, Sowakula, Tolofua.

Replacements: Lam, Falgoux, Michaux, Muarua, Doornebal, Simone, Frier, Ojovan.

Glasgow Warriors: Rowe, Steyn (capt), Jones, Tuipulotu, Dobie, Lancaster, Horne; Schickerling, Hiddleston, Z Fagerson, Craig, Cummings, Ferrie, M Fagerson, Dempsey.

Replacements: Stephen, Sutherland, Talakai, Williamson, Brown, Miller, McDowall, Afshar.

European Challenge Cup

Cardiff (12) 32

Tries: Bowen, Thornton, Assiratti, Thomas Cons: Sheedy 2, Beetham Pens: Sheedy 2

Racing 92 (13) 13

Cardiff took a huge step in guaranteeing their Challenge Cup knockout place with a hard-fought European bonus-point home victory against Racing 92.

Tries from wing Tom Bowen and centre Ben Thomas and rare scores for lock Rory Thornton and prop Keiron Assiratti were supplemented by 10 points from fly-half Callum Sheedy.

Racing 92 responded with tries from Fiji wing Selestino Ravutaumada, who was shown a yellow card after only about seven seconds, and Argentina full-back Geronimo Prisciantelli.

Cardiff’s last 16 spot will be confirmed tomorrow if Ulster avoid defeat against South African side Cheetahs.

Cardiff had started the campaign with a defeat in Paris by Stade Francais before a last-kick win against Ulster.

Coach Corniel Van Zyl freshened up his side with eight changes to the side that lost 33-22 at Ospreys, while Racing made 12 alterations to their starting side from the past league game.

France centre Gael Fickou, Fiji powerhouse Josua Tuisova, Wallaby prop Taniela Tupou, former Wales lock Will Rowlands and England forwards Johnny Hill and Nathan Hughes were missing, but they still fielded Prisciantelli, France prop Demba Bamba and England Under-20s lock Junior Kpoku.

Cardiff captain Liam Belcher led the side out on his 100th appearance before Ravutaumada was shown a yellow card straight from the kick-off.

It was for a high, dangerous tackle on number eight Alun Lawrence, who was forced off the field for 10 minutes, after coming into start for the injured Taulupe Faletau.

Racing opened the scoring with an Antoine Gibert penalty before the hosts made the extra man tell.

Bowen scored where Ravutaumada might have been defending as the Cardiff wing latched into a pinpoint Sheedy chip kick, before finishing expertly for his seventh try in seven games this season.

Bowen, who was overlooked by Cardiff for the festive fixtures with Wales wings Josh Adams and Mason Grady preferred, demonstrated his ability to lift the Arms Park faithful by almost scoring another breakaway try.

In contrast, some soft Cardiff defending allowed Ravutaumada to power through the home defence before the ball was moved to Prisciantelli to cross.

The Argentina play-maker missed the conversion after also failing with an earlier penalty attempt, with Racing 92 failing with three kicks in the first half.

Full-back Jacob Beetham’s impressive 50:22 attacking kick established the platform for Thornton to cross for his first try in two years and bring the home side within one point at half-time.

France lock Romain Taofifenua came on to add more power but his sizeable presence counted for little in a second half that Cardiff dominated.

The hosts provided the first flowing attack of the half which eventually resulted in an Assiratti try, only his second for Cardiff and first since December 2023.

Sheedy converted and added two penalties as Cardiff overwhelmed their French opponents.

This impressive win could precede an important week in Cardiff’s future. It is an uncertain time in the domestic game in Wales, with the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) proposing to cut one of its four men’s professional sides.

Welsh rugby’s governing body has said it proposes to grant three licences for men’s professional clubs.

There will be one in Cardiff, one in the east and one in the west, which could result in a survival fight between Swansea-based Ospreys and Scarlets in Llanelli.

After temporarily going into administration in April 2025, Cardiff were taken over by the WRU with the governing body expecting to sell the organisation to fresh investors in the next few weeks.

Ospreys’ owners, Y11 Sport & Media, have been linked with taking over Cardiff, which could result in the desired three professional sides.

The WRU and Y11 have both declined to comment on this possibility, fuelling fears of Ospreys supporters about their side’s future, while Cardiff fans have been vocal against any such proposed takeover deal.

There is another consortium looming on the horizon with former Cardiff director Martyn Ryan joined by a party that includes three television and film producers based in the United States of America.

It will be decision for the WRU about what is best for Cardiff and what is more beneficial to the governing body’s final plans.

Cardiff: Beetham; Stephens, Smit, B Thomas, Bowen; Sheedy, A Davies; Barratt, Belcher (capt), Assiratti, Nott, Thornton, Mann, Basham, Lawrence.

Replacements: D Hughes, Domachowski, Sebastian, McNally, Botham, Bevan, Jennings, Millard.

Racing 92: Prisciantelli; Ravutaumada, James, Ashvetia, Donguy; Gibert, Carbonneau; Njocke, Leota, Bamba, Kpoku, Joseph (capt), Baudonne, Zinzen, Dayimani.

Replacements: Tarrit, Julien, Kharaishvili, Taofifenua, Albuisson, Tagitagivalu, Labarbe, Espeut.

Referee: Sara Cox (Eng)

Assistants: Harry Walbaum (Eng), Jamie Parr (Eng)