Sunderland snap Arsenal’s winning run in Premier League title twist
SUNDERLAND.
English premier league (epl) Sport News
Man Utd have room to ‘grow’, says Amorim after Spurs setback
LONDON: Ruben Amorim said Manchester United are “in the beginning of becoming a very strong team” after extending their unbeaten run to five Premier League games with a dramatic 2-2 draw at Tottenham. The Red Devils looked set to go second in the table as they led through Bryan Mbeumo’s first-half header for nearly an hour. However, Spurs struck twice in seven minutes to turn the game on its head through Mathys Tel and Richarlison. Despite going down to 10 men as Benjamin Sesko limped off after Amorim had made his five allotted substitutions, the visitors still fought back to rescue a point through Matthijs de Ligt’s towering header in the 96th minute. Amorim praised his side’s resilience, but believes they should have gone on to win after bossing the first half. “During the game you feel that the three points were there,” said the Portuguese. “If you look to the game and if you feel the environment, we have so much to grow as a team because today was our day to win this game.” Amorim added: “If we have um a a little bit more bravery, we can kill this game.” A share of the points leaves United down in seventh and they could even drop out of the top half before the end of the weekend if other results go against them. But Amorim sees progress during his longest unbeaten streak since taking charge at Old Trafford just over a year ago. “I understand that this is just the tip of the iceberg.
Racing big names set for Taif Season’s penultimate meeting
TAIF: Star names are on show for the penultimate meeting of the Taif racing season, and none are bigger than multiple Grade 1 winner Tilal AI-Khalediah (Saudi Arabia), who heads the field for the Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Cup at King Khalid Racecourse.
Son Heung-Min’s hat trick carries LAFC past Real Salt Lake
Son Heung-Min scored his first MLS hat trick and visiting Los Angeles FC earned a 4-1 victory over Real Salt Lake on Wednesday in Sandy, Utah. Denis Bouanga added his 94th career LAFC goal in all competitions late in the second half to become the club’s all-time leading scorer. The win lifted the Black and Gold (13-7-8, 47 points) up to fourth in the Western Conference above the Seattle Sounders. Bouanga now has 19 MLS goals this season, the third-best total in the league. He also assisted Son’s third goal of the night and fifth in six league matches since his August arrival from Tottenham Hotspur. LAFC got its second hat trick in as many games after Bouanga scored three times in a 4-2 road win over the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday. Zavier Gozo cut Real Salt Lake’s deficit to 2-1 on a sensational side volley in the 76th minute. RSL (10-15-4, 34 points), which has lost four of its past five matches and sits 10th in the West, a point behind San Jose and the last playoff place. Salt Lake forward Victor Olatunji was sent off deep in second-half stoppage time for violent conduct and will be suspended when these sides convene again Sunday in Southern California. Son opened the scoring in the third minute. After players from both sides made tackles on the ball in the center circle, Timothy Tillman won the last of those challenges and directed the ball perfectly into Son’s speculative run down the left. The 33-year-old had plenty of time to take two settling touches before driving a low finish past RSL goalkeeper Rafael. Son doubled the visitors’ lead 13 minutes later.
Labubu lament: Naomi Osaka says plush toy for the US Open final would’ve been Osaka herself
NEW YORK: Naomi Osaka’s last Labubu as the US Open was going to be Osaka herself. For Osaka, that was the real bummer about losing one match short of the final. “Oh, don’t make me cry, man,” the four-time Grand Slam champion said during her press conference early Friday morning after her 6-7 (4), 7-6 (3), 6-3 semifinal loss to Amanda Anisimova. “Oh my God, the most devastating question.” Osaka had been toting a different version of the popular plush toy attached to her racket bag to each of her matches in Flushing Meadows.
Lionel Messi scores twice in an emotional home farewell for Argentina
BUENOS AIRES: Lionel Messi made sure he had good memories of playing a home qualifier with Argentina’s national team for the last time in his illustrious career. Messi scored twice Thursday in Argentina’s 3-0 victory over Venezuela in front of a raucous sellout crowd that had gathered at estadio Monumental to bid him farewell. “Being able to finish this way here is what I’ve always dreamed of,” Messi said. “I’ve experienced a lot of things on this pitch, both good and not so good, but it’s always a joy to play in Argentina, in front of our fans.” Messi is yet to give any clues about when he will retire from the top level of the sport.
Germany stunned by Slovakia in historic World Cup qualifying loss. Spain and Belgium win
LONDON: Germany lost an away World Cup qualifying game for the first time in a 2-0 upset against Slovakia on Thursday which threw their campaign to reach the 2026 tournament into immediate jeopardy.
Giannis helps Greece eliminate defending champion Spain at EuroBasket
LIMASSOL, Cyprus: Defending champions Spain were eliminated from EuroBasket in the group stage when they lost 90-86 to Greece, who were led by Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 25 points and 14 rebounds Thursday.