Verdict: Away win
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Hajduk Split appear to have missed a good opportunity to keep the tie alive in the first leg and they will have a mountain to climb after the 2-0 defeat at Goodison Park. Everton, on the other hand, will be hoping to extend the good run of results and record a morale-boosting win ahead of Sunday’s clash with Premier League champions Chelsea.
Hajduk Split
Hajduk Split had done really well in Europa League qualifying stages before the play-offs, recording 3-1 and 2-0 aggregate wins over Levski Sofia and Brondby respectively, winning three of four legs and keeping as many clean sheets in the process. The Whites were then quite unfortunate to be pitted against heavily reinforced Everton, and they failed to defy th…
The 2018 World Cup inter-confederation play-off is evenly poised after New Zealand held Peru to a goalless draw in Saturday s first leg.
With a ticket to next year s showpiece tournament in Russia up for grabs, neither side could break the deadlock at a sun-bathed Westpac Stadium in Wellington.
Desperate to end their 36-year wait for a World Cup berth, South American visitors Peru largely controlled proceedings but they were unable to make their superiority count despite a scrambling goal-line save from All Whites goalkeeper Stefan Marinovic, who also denied Aldo Corzo in the second half.
New Zealand almost snatched victory at the death when Ryan Thomas unleashed a powerful volley which flashed agonisingly wide of the post.
Oceania champions New Zealand �…
David Alaba has confirmed that he is in talks with Bayern Munich over a new and improved contract.
The Austria international s current deal with the Bundesliga champions runs until June 2018 and he recently suggested that he is in no rush to start talks over a renewal.
However, Bayern have now decided to sit down with Alaba and his representatives after all following alleged interest from Manchester City.
There have been talks with Bayern over a new contract, that is correct, Alaba told reporters.
Bayern are my priority. We will see what happens.
Reports from Germany claim Bayern are keen to tie Alaba down until June 2021, offering him an annual salary of €10million.
The 23-year-old joined Bayern from Austria Vienna in 2008 and made …
Chelsea have announced Michael Emenalo has stepped down from his position as technical director.
Emenalo first joined the club in 2007 and has played a key role behind the scenes in the development of Chelsea s first team and academy.
In the 10 years Emenalo has been involved with the club, Chelsea have won three Premier League titles, three FA Cups, the EFL Cup, Europa League and Champions League, playing a major part in the assembling of those successful squads.
He became technical director in 2011 and led the Blues scouting and transfer activities.
Emenalo said in a statement: This has been a very difficult decision to make, but one I believe is right for both myself and my family, and the club.
I have had the privilege to work alongside some…
Ollie Watkins told Cole Palmer he would set him up for a goal as they were waiting to come on for England.
The forward then scored the winning goal, assisted by Palmer, to seal a 2-1 win over the Netherlands and book their place in the Euro 2024 final.
The Three Lions had to come from behind once again after Xavi Simons early goal gave the Netherlands the lead, before Harry Kane levelled from the spot shortly after.
Asked about his goal, Watkins said he knew what to expect as soon as Palmer got the ball at his feet.
I ve been waiting for that moment for weeks, Watkins told ITV Sport after the game.
It s taken a lot of hard work to get to where I am today. Grateful I got the opportunity, and I grabbed it with both hands. I m delighted.
I…
FIFA is considering expanding the next Women s World Cup to 32 teams and doubling the prize money, president Gianni Infantino has said.
The FIFA Council, made up of 37 members, is due to vote on the host for the 2023 tournament next March.
There are already nine countries interested in bidding, including recent men s World Cup hosts Brazil and South Africa.
Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Colombia, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea are also prospective hosts for the next women s tournament.
We will need to act more quickly if we want to have 32 teams already in 2023, Infantino said.
We will discuss it as a matter of urgency and see if we can already decide to increase for 2023, in which case we should re-open the bidding process and allow …
Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel insists he will not make a decision on his future with the Premier League outfit until after Euro 2016.
Skrtel, 31, is in France as part of the Slovakia squad competing in Group B alongside England, Wales and Russia.
The centre-half is the second longest serving player in Liverpool s squad after joining the club in January 2008.
However, all signs are pointing to an Anfield exit in the off-season, with Fenerbahce and Roma reportedly two of the clubs interested in the Slovakian.
Skrtel said there was nothing decided on his future via a post on his official Instagram, before dodging questions in a news conference on Sunday.
I m fully focused on the national team and the game [against England on Monday], he s…
Market: Seattle Sounders win
Odds: 2/3 @
Looking to extend on their stellar MLS purple patch, Seattle will welcome St. Louis to Lumen Field in the early hours of Thursday.
Starting with the hosts, while Seattle might have opened up the 2024 campaign in the midst of a public struggle, the Sounders have come roaring back in a sensational fashion. Last seen putting in another eye-catching performance as they secured a 1-0 victory away at Austin, Brian Schmetzer’s men are enjoying what has become a stellar purple patch. Extending on their US Open Cup adventure on July 10th as they claimed a 2-1 win away at USL outfit Sacramento Republic, the mood around Lumen Field appears to be at a red-hot high. Opening July with a 2-0 victory against New England, the Greens hav…
Luton chief executive Gary Sweet “could not be prouder” of manager Rob Edwards after leading the club into the Sky Bet Championship play-off final against Coventry in his first year in charge.
Edwards only joined Luton in November 2022 but has taken them within touching distance of the Premier League after the Hatters beat Sunderland 3-2 on aggregate in last week’s play-off semi-final.
Sweet lauded the 40-year-old former Watford manager’s conduct since replacing the hugely successful Nathan Jones, with Luton vying for a return to the top flight just nine years after playing in non league.
“I couldn’t be prouder of Rob, we couldn’t have had a better human being come in to carry on the great job Nathan did and the mantle he left,” Sweet said.
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