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England Premier League
Premier League leader Arsenal conceded its first goal in 881 minutes and then again in stoppage time to draw 2-2 with Sunderland, a result that potentially breathes new life into the title race. Brian Brobbey's goal in the fourth minute of added-on time on Saturday ended Arsenal's winning run of five matches in the league and 10 in all competitions that had been built on one of the stingiest defenses English soccer has seen in a generation. Arsenal hadn't let in a goal since Sept. 28 nine games ago before its former academy player, Dan Ballard, lashed in the opener for Sunderland in the 36th minute at the Stadium of Light. "I felt a pain in my tummy," Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said. "I don't want to concede any goals." Back in the Premier League for the first time in eight years, Sunderland gave the leaders their most uncomfortable game for some time but second-half strikes by Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard looked like earning Arsenal a battling victory. Brobbey's late .
Arsenal signed Sweden forward Viktor Gyokeres on Saturday, bringing an end to the Premier League club's years-long search for a prolific goalscorer. Gyokeres completed a move from Sporting Lisbon worth a reported 63 million pounds ($85 million) and signed a five-year contract. Viktor is an exceptional talent and has consistently demonstrated he has the qualities and winning mentality required of a top-level centre-forward. His physicality, intelligence and work ethic make him a perfect fit for our vision, said Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta. The 27-year-old striker joins Arsenal after establishing himself as one of the deadliest finishers in world soccer after two outstanding seasons in Portugal where he fired Lisbon to back-to-back league titles. He scored 82 goals in 85 games, including 48 last term, outscoring the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah. A top class striker has long-been considered the missing element for Arsenal, which came runner up in
Crystal Palace confirmed that New York Jets owner Woody Johnson's purchase of Eagle Football's shareholding in the Premier League club has been completed. I am honored and privileged to be joining the ownership group of Crystal Palace Football Club, Johnson told the club website Thursday. Palace announced last month that Johnson had signed a legally binding contract to buy the shares of fellow American John Textor, who had a 43% stake in the London club, with reports at the time placing the price between $220 million and $260 million. The latest club statement gave no financial details. Johnson joins chairman Steve Parish, Josh Harris and David Blitzer as a partner and director of the club, and has also signed the Premier League's Owners' Charter. It is an organization with a proud history, tradition, and deep roots in English football in South London, which I came to admire during my time as US Ambassador to the United Kingdom," Johnson said. Palace finished 12th last season in
Arsenal completed the signing of Kepa Arrizabalaga as a free agent on Tuesday after the goalkeeper's contract at Chelsea expired. Kepa was a $92.6 million world record signing for a goalkeeper when joining Chelsea from Athletic Bilbao in 2018 and went on to win the Champions League, Europa League and Club World Cup during his seven years at the club. But he spent long periods of his time at Stamford Bridge as a back up and leaves after loans spells at Bournemouth and Real Madrid over the past two seasons. He brings a wealth of experience, which his teammates will benefit from, and he has a real hunger to win, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said. Kepa works hard and will elevate our levels. Kepa posted a goodbye message to Chelsea fans on social media before his move to Arsenal was announced. After seven unforgettable years the time has come to close a very special chapter in my life, he posted. Chelsea was my home, my family and the place where I grew both as a footballer and as a .
The long-awaited return of Erling Haaland couldn't stop Manchester City from tumbling to another poor result in a season to forget for the deposed Premier League champion. Indeed, after a dire 0-0 draw at already-relegated Southampton on Saturday, even qualification for the lucrative Champions League something taken for granted by City for so many seasons is still far from certain with two games left. Failing to beat the Premier League's last-placed team, and one of the worst to ever play in England's top flight, threw City's ambitions of a top-five finish back into doubt. Even more so with Aston Villa, one of a raft of clubs battling with City to get into the Champions League, beating Bournemouth 1-0 thanks to Ollie Watkins' first-half goal. It could barely be tighter in that race. Third-placed City moved two points clear of Newcastle and Chelsea who meet at St. James' Park on Sunday and also sixth-placed Villa. Nottingham Forest is two points further back but also has a game
England will send a record six teams into the Champions League next season, further fueling the wealthy Premier League's financial power over the rest of Europe. Manchester United and Tottenham advanced Thursday to an all-English final of the second-tier Europa League, with the winner of that match earning a place in the next Champions League where the prize money is typically four times greater. Man United and Tottenham's good results in Europe while struggling badly in the Premier League also contributed to English clubs' collectively strong season. Chelsea also advanced Thursday to the final of the third-tier Conference League and will play Real Betis. The weight of money in the Premier League means that even malfunctioning teams such as Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham have budgets that are multiples of those of the clubs with which they are competing, said Kieran Maguire, a soccer finance expert from The Price of Football podcast. Premier League teams had weeks ago .
Sunderland struck late to beat host Coventry 2-1 on Friday in the first leg of the Championship semifinal playoffs. Goals from Wilson Isidor in the 68th minute and Eliezer Mayenda two minutes from time either side of Jack Rudoni scoring for Frank Lampard's Coventry put Sunderland in the driving seat ahead of the return leg at its own Stadium of Light on Tuesday. The northeastern side is seeking promotion from England's second tier and a return to the Premier League for the first time since being relegated in 2017. The winner of the tie will play either Sheffield United or Bristol City at Wembley on May 24. Sheffield won the first leg 3-0 away on Thursday and the teams face off again at Bramall Lane on Monday.
Kevin De Bruyne scored and gave Manchester City a crucial but barely deserved 1-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers and a lift into third place in the Premier League on Friday. The Belgian is leaving City at the end of the season and still providing good memories thanks to his goal against a team that won its last six league encounters. With three games left, City was a firm favourite to take one of the Champions League places. Slightly against the run of play, De Bruyne side-footed home a cut back from Jeremy Doku 10 minutes before halftime in his second-to-last appearance at Etihad Stadium. Wolves will be aggrieved at not taking something from the game but were undone by poor finishing and the City goalposts. In the 22nd, Jean-Ricner Bellegarde opted to pass when it looked easier to shoot but Marshall Munetsi at full stretch could not get on the end of his inviting cross. Five minutes later, Rayan Ait-Nouri hit the post then saw his rebound cleared off the line by Josko Gvardiol
Kevin De Bruyne wants to deliver Champions League qualification to Manchester City as a parting gift to his club of the last 10 years. The Belgium playmaker certainly looked like a man on a mission in sparking City's remarkable fightback against Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday. After City fell two goals behind inside 21 minutes, the 33-year-old De Bruyne curled a free kick in off the post to begin the comeback and had a hand in goals by Omar Marmoush and Mateo Kovacic in the first half. James McAtee added a fourth off a pass from goalkeeper Ederson, who later came off injured before fellow academy product Nico O'Reilly wrapped up the win. It was a display showing the enduring quality of De Bruyne, who announced last week he would be leaving City at the end of the season, and he was given a standing ovation after being substituted in the 87th minute. I want to go away with a Champions League (place) for this team because they deserve it," he said. We've been in th
Mikel Merino led Arsenal to a 1-0 win against Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday. Merino's first-half header settled the London derby at the Etihad Stadium and saw second-placed Arsenal move within 12 points of leader Liverpool. In another all-London clash, Fulham beat Tottenham 2-0. Arsenal's title hopes have faded in recent weeks, but it closed the gap on Liverpool, which was playing Newcastle in the English League Cup final later in the day. Merino rose in the 20th minute to flick Martin Odegaard's near post corner beyond Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez. It was enough to secure a first league win for Mikel Arteta's team since February 15. Defeat for fourth-placed Chelsea means it missed the chance to extend its one-point lead over Manchester City in fifth and boost its chance of qualifying for the Champions League next season. Arsenal, on 58 points, is 10 clear of four time defending champion City. Spurs blowAnother setback for Tottenham is likely to increase the press