Amorim ‘inspired’ by 1999 for United comeback

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Few other famous comeback victories in Manchester United’s history surpass their Champions League triumph in 1999.

Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjr scored the most coveted trophy in European club football that night at the Nou Camp, turning Bayern Munich’s early 1-0 lead into the winning goal.

Although the dramatic and unexpected comeback victory against Lyon on Thursday night did not inspire Red Devils manager Ruben Amorim to go back in time like it did 26 years ago, Amorim was inspired by the experience.

After the 5-4 victory over 10-man Lyon, in which United scored three goals in the final six minutes of extra time to seal a 7-6 overall victory, Amorim revealed to TNT Sports that he had been “watching again the 1999 documentary to have some inspiration for these moments.”

You think the night was over because you thought it was over because it was 4-2, but it never is. I believed that anything is possible here.

The stadium’s sound is “the best ever”

Harry Maguire celebrates his dramatic winnerImages courtesy of Getty

After Manuel Ugarte and Diogo Dalot scored decisive goals in the opening half, United had the idea of moving on.

However, they continued to lose the two-goal lead when Corentin Tolisso and Nicolas Tagliafico scored the winning goal in extra time to bring the tie level.

Rayan Cherki put the French side ahead before Alexandre Lacazette’s penalty appeared to have blocked them, prompting some United fans to leave and stop the flow of traffic. Tolisso was sent off in the final minute of normal time.

Then, with seconds left, Bruno Fernandes’ penalty and Kobbie Mainoo’s cool finish levelled the playing field, and Old Trafford erupted when Harry Maguire headed in the winner.

Amorim continued, “The stadium’s sounds were the best ever.”

Some people collect shirts and scarves, but I want to preserve the world’s best sound, which is a tee-shirt.

“I feel bad for the people who had to leave at 4-2 because of the traffic,” he says.

We are aware of our underperformance and merit criticism, but we still have time to create something special for this season.

The players put together one of the most memorable comebacks, according to Maguire and his manager, because of the Old Trafford atmosphere.

He claimed that opening ourselves up to 10 men in extra time was too much for us to lose 4-2.

A night of history: the facts that led to the comeback

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My Rangers future ‘needs to get sorted soon’ – Ferguson

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After their Europa League defeat to Athletic Bilbao, Rangers’ manager, Barry Ferguson, claims that their future “needs to be sorted soon” because they still have a “lot of work to do.”

Rangers made it to the quarter-finals after Ferguson had pushed them past Fenerbahce in the last 16 with goals from Oihan Sancet and Nico Williams at San Mames.

The former club captain has won four, lost four, and drawn two of his ten matches as the manager, replacing Philippe Clement in February until the end of the season.

When Ferguson was asked about his future, Ferguson responded, “Where this leaves me now is that I’m going to finish the season as strongly as possible.”

“I haven’t sat down and discussed it,” but it needs to be resolved quickly because the club needs to do a lot of work.

Ferguson acknowledged that Rangers were defeated by a “qualitative side” at Bilbao.

He lamented two decisions, including a shirt pull on Cyriel Dessers that might have earned him a penalty and a red card despite the goalless game, that he believed could have altered the game.

However, Athletic continued to dominate the tournament despite the officials’ objections, winning in the end.

With only five league games remaining and the title almost over, Rangers will be looking at Ferguson’s fate as part of their plan to overhaul their squad and takeover.

He said, “I was enjoying myself, but I also had an opportunity that not many people get.” It would have been crazy if I had pushed it back.

Next season, I’d love to have Barry here.

Following the Athletic defeat, Rangers captain James Tavernier backed Ferguson.

The 33-year-old claimed he was organizing but “switched off” as Oscar de Marcos picked out Williams for the second goal in Bilbao, and that he also accepted responsibility for it.

The defender continued, “We need to reflect on this season because it hasn’t been good enough.” There will be a lot of change, according to the statement.

What were the experts’ opinions?

Steven Thompson, a former Rangers striker,

In the next five games, I would be watching the younger players if I were Barry’s age. Incorporate them in the squad to determine their level of maturity.

Because you always want something to play for, it’s a terrible situation to be in.

Steven Naismith, a former Rangers striker,

It’s past time for this month. It will be very difficult to motivate everyone until the takeover is confirmed.

Unconsciously, the level drops when there is nothing to play for.

Andy Halliday, a former Rangers midfielder,

Have your opinion expressed

Fans of Rangers, please let us know what you think.

Should Ferguson take over as Rangers’ permanent manager? What strategy should he use for the season’s final five games?

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Dobey beats Bunting for Rotterdam triumph

Kelly Deckers/PDC

On a night of shocks in Rotterdam, Chris Dobey defeated Stephen Bunting to claim his first Premier League victory on 2025.

Few would have anticipated the all-English final, with the bottom two going into night 11;

Dobey reached the semi-finals with a 6-2 victory over Nathan Aspinall, his first final since a 6-1 loss to Luke Humphries on opening night.

The 34-year-old Northumberland-born player won his second consecutive Premier League nightly win 5-1 over Bunting and sealed an impressive victory with an average of 101.84.

Dobey, who is currently sixth in the table, is only three points clear of the four play-off spots, while only five points keep Aspinall, who is seventh, and Rob Cross, who are both seventh.

“I think I can still make it to the top four,” she said. If I keep this performance, I have a good chance the following week, he said.

“I’m a fighter, I’ve won big matches and been cruising all the way back to the top.” I’m going to stay until the end, and I’m here to win.

With the defeat of world champion Luke Littler and Dutchman Michael van Gerwen, Bunting won two of the final three matches.

Premier League champion Littler defeated Rob Cross 6-5 in the quarter-finals despite his opponent’s 110 average in the gloomy Ahoy Arena.

In an effort to keep his arrows on track, the 18-year-old, who is leading the league and aiming for a fifth nightly win of the year, went for heavier darts, up three grams to 26g.

Price, “Darts blowing everywhere”

Gerwyn PriceKelly Deckers/PDC

After being defeated by Aspinall in the final eight, Gerwyn Price was unhappy with the breeze on stage in Rotterdam, according to several players.

Aspinall initially warned him that he had a shoulder injury, but his Welsh opponent saw off against him without any symptoms.

After that, Price said on Instagram, “We move on to the next week, and this week was pointless.” Everywhere, the darts were exploding.

“I’m hoping we’ll stop coming here and look for alternative locations.” You look just as foolish as you appear if you believe that the situation applies to both players.

Cross had a five-match losing streak against Littler, but he appeared to be on the verge of victory before his rival clinched a 145 finish.

Littler was the 2018 world champion, but the teenager held on for the win again, 110.15 to 108.56.

Dutch fans disappointed when home hero Van Gerwen lost to Bunting 6-5.

The seven-time Premier League champion has only advanced to the top ten games in the first ten weeks, only to reach a single nightly final.

Results for Premier League Darts Night 11

Final

Stephen Bunting defeated Chris Dobey 6-2.

Semi-finals

Nathan Aspinall defeated Chris Dobey 6-2

Luke Littler 6-5 Luke Bunting

Quarter-finals

Luke Humphries defeated Chris Dobey 6-3

Nathan Aspinall 3-6 Gerwyn Price

Michael van Gerwen 6-5 Stephen Bunting

Premier League Darts table

Premier League darts table

Format and points system for Premier League Darts

Premier League Darts is played in 16 league starts, with quarter-finals, semi-finals, and finals on each night.

In the quarter-finals in weeks one through seven and nine through fifteen, with the eight and sixteen fixtures being eliminated from the table, each of the eight players is guaranteed to face the other seven. On the final league-stage night, Sheffield will play host to fourth-and-fifth place teams, with potential playoff spots also in the cards.

Players are awarded two points for each quarter-final victory, five for each semi-final victory, and five for each night’s victory.

In a best-of-19-leg competition, the top four players will advance to the play-off night on May 23 at London’s O2 Arena, with first facing first and second facing third. The best leg of the 21 legs is the final.

Premier League Darts Night 12 play order

Liverpool on Thursday, April 24.

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Trinity stage late comeback to beat Tigers

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Betfred Super League

Wakefield (0) 13

Smith, Jowitt, Smith, Jowitt, Lino, Jowitt, Jowitt, and Jowitt.

Castleford (12) 12

A late drop-goal from Mason Lino saw Wakefield Trinity come back from behind nine straight home defeats at Castleford Tigers.

After Jason Qareqare’s two first-half tries and Sam Wood’s additional try, the Tigers, who have only won once in Super League this season, looked set to double that total.

However, Trinity fought back through converted scores by Harvey Smith and Max Jowitt despite Rowan Milnes’ failure to add any extras.

With Zac Cini sped down the right flank before falling to his late-game debut at Belle Vue, Castleford might have scored early, but Tom Johnstone’s crucial tackle bundled him into touch.

However, the visitors’ opening try came from a lightning counter-attack, with full-back Tex Hoy pressing Corey Hall’s kick deep inside his own territory and zigzag past several obstacles before releasing Qareqare for an unstoppable run all the way to the line.

Wakefield’s attacks failed despite having a lot of possession, and Mike McMeeken wasted a chance by knocking on Lino’s kick just under the posts while doing so shoddily with the defense.

Instead, the Tigers increased their lead as Wood soared to the end to secure Milnes’ precision kick, and Qareqare, who had once more accelerated into space, collected another ball from Milnes and held off his man, to make it 12-0.

At half-time, Milnes scored three of his first-half conversion opportunities wide, keeping Wakefield very close to their visitors, but frustration persisted after the break.

After a storming run from well inside his own half, Hoy’s tackle somehow managed to keep Johnstone out of the game. Jay Pitts was also kept out on the line thanks to a late-minute interception by Liam Horne.

However, Smith eventually felt the pressure as he dipped over from the dummy half, and it appeared Lino had added another try by twisting across from close range.

Lino grounded the ball after the video referee had determined that the on-field decision had been overturned by video referee Ben Thaler, but Jowitt pushed to find the whitewash as the home side scored later in the set.

Daryl Powell, the head coach of Wakefield Trinity, told BBC Radio Leeds:

“We had a very loose attitude when we first started our sets, and Castleford had a great intention of doing so,” said the director. They fairly well used the pace and scored early on us.

I believed we simply gave them energy, which they did quite well. We didn’t defend well against them, but they did score a few tries from kicks, which was fortunately a little off.

“That gave us a chance to get back into the game, but it still required a lot of time.” Thankfully, it ended up in our favor, and I’m really pleased to win. However, we still have a lot to fix, mentally strengthen, and ensure that our first half performance is improved.

Danny McGuire, the head coach of the Castleford Tigers, told BBC Radio Leeds:

We were really disciplined and clinical, especially in the first half, which is where I’m obviously disappointed with the outcome but really proud of the performance.

We worked hard for one another, and we had a good attitude. I believed our team was better the majority of the time.

We battled and stayed in there for the second half, which was sometimes unpleasant. We’ll learn from losing, which I detest, and come back stronger.

Wakefield includes Scott, Hall, Pratt, Johnstone, Pitts, Lino, McMeeken, Hood, Rodwell, Nikotemo, Griffin, and Cozza.

Hamlin-Uele, Atoni, Smith, and Faatili make changes.

Hoy, Simm, Cini, Wood, Qareqare, Asi, Milnes, Okoro, Horne, Lawler, Simbiken, Mellor, Mustapha, and Castleford.

Westerman, Rimbu, Salabio, and Dezaria swapped out.

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Eubank Jr compensates fighters from cancelled Benn fight

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Chris Eubank Jr. claims to have made up for the undercard fighters who had been scheduled to box prior to his 2022 cancellation.

After Benn’s two-year dispute with anti-doping authorities, his suspension was lifted in November, and the competition was called off as a result.

The middleweight contest between the Britons will now take place on April 26 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

A screenshot of the original fight card was posted by Eubank on Instagram that appeared to show payments to 10 fighters.

He stated, “Here’s a little something to help out the undercard fighters that were left out of pocket.”

“Perhaps they will now… maybe they won’t want to give me their bank details.”

Shannon Courtenay, who was scheduled to face off in the undercard, responded to Eubank Jr.’s post with “man of his word-thanks.”

Ellie Scotney, the unified IBF and WBO super-bantamweight champion, later wrote, “what a guy.”

Benn, 28, has always denied having a doping background, and the Vada is testing both fighters for the upcoming week’s competition.

Benn’s failed drugs test was not intended, according to an independent report released in February 2023 by the WBC, and could have been the result of an “highly elevated consumption” of eggs.

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Eubank Jr compensates fighters from cancelled Benn fight

Images courtesy of Getty

Chris Eubank Jr. claims to have made up for the undercard fighters who had been scheduled to box prior to his 2022 cancellation.

After Benn’s two-year dispute with anti-doping authorities, his suspension was lifted in November, and the competition was called off as a result.

The middleweight contest between the Britons will now take place on April 26 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

A screenshot of the original fight card was posted by Eubank on Instagram that appeared to show payments to 10 fighters.

He stated, “Here’s a little something to help out the undercard fighters that were left out of pocket.”

“Perhaps they will now… maybe they won’t want to give me their bank details.”

Shannon Courtenay, who was scheduled to face off in the undercard, responded to Eubank Jr.’s post with “man of his word-thanks.”

Ellie Scotney, the unified IBF and WBO super-bantamweight champion, later wrote, “what a guy.”

Benn, 28, has always denied having a doping background, and the Vada is testing both fighters for the upcoming week’s competition.

Benn’s failed drugs test was not intended, according to an independent report released in February 2023 by the WBC, and could have been the result of an “highly elevated consumption” of eggs.

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  • Boxing