LONDON: Arsenal’s faint hopes of catching Premier League leaders Liverpool are almost over after their 1-1 draw at Everton, while Wolves pushed Ipswich closer to relegation with a 2-1 win on Saturday.
Leandro Trossard’s opener for the Gunners was canceled out by Iliman Ndiaye’s penalty to leave Arsenal trailing 11 points behind Liverpool, who travel to Fulham on Sunday.
Liverpool now need just 11 points from their remaining eight games to secure a record-equalling 20th English top-flight title and first since 2020.
With just two wins in their last six league matches, Arsenal have tamely surrendered in the title race and are destined to go another year without their first English crown since 2004.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta had said the best preparation for his side’s Champions League quarter-final first leg against Real Madrid would be to win at Goodison Park.
But the Spaniard showed he had one eye on the visit of the European champions with his team selection.
Bukayo Saka was forced to wait for his first start since December as the England international was left on the bench alongside Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Martinelli, Jurrien Timber and Thomas Partey.
“This is a very tough place to come, a team who is very physical and direct. If you don’t deal with it, it’s hard to get momentum. The start of the second half was very poor,” Arteta said.
Arsenal’s weakened line-up struck first in the 34th minute when Raheem Sterling picked out Trossard and his low shot took Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford by surprise as it squirmed into the net.
Everton were unable to stop Liverpool’s march to the title in midweek when they lost 1-0 in the Merseyside derby at Anfield.
And David Moyes’ men did their arch rivals another favor as they drew level in the 49th minute.
Myles Lewis-Skelly fouled Jack Harrison and Ndiaye stroked home from the penalty spot four minutes into the second period to put Liverpool within touching distance of the title.
Wolves effectively sealed their survival and left Ipswich on the brink of relegation with a 2-1 win at Portman Road.
Vitor Pereira’s side trailed to Liam Delap’s 16th-minute goal as the striker swept in Dara O’Shea’s knockdown.
But Pablo Sarabia drilled into the bottom corner to haul Wolves level in the 72nd minute, before Jorgen Strand Larsen prodded home on 84 minutes for his fourth goal in his last three games.
Fourth-bottom Wolves are now 12 points clear of third-bottom Ipswich with just seven games left, leaving Kieran McKenna’s side almost certain to return to the Championship after just one season.
Wolves’ victory also means bottom of the table Southampton will be relegated if they lose at Tottenham on Sunday.
Crystal Palace beat Brighton 2-1 despite finishing with nine men in a bruising battle featuring three red cards at Selhurst Park.
FA Cup semifinalists Palace went ahead thanks to Jean-Philippe Mateta’s third minute curler, before Danny Welbeck’s close-range effort in the 31st minute dragged Brighton level.
Daniel Munoz blasted Palace’s winner in the 55th minute, but the Eagles had to dig deep for the win.
Palace striker Eddie Nketiah was sent off for two bookings in the space of nine minutes, then team-mate Marc Guehi was dismissed for picking up a second yellow card in the 90th minute.
In a frantic finale, Brighton’s Jan Paul van Hecke was shown a red card for his foul on Daichi Kamada.
Evanilson scored twice as Bournemouth drew 2-2 with West Ham at the London Stadium.
The Brazilian opened the scoring in the 38th minute and bagged Bournemouth’s equalizer with 11 minutes left after Niclas Fullkrug and Jarrod Bowen had put West Ham ahead.
Aston Villa host third-placed Nottingham Forest in Saturday’s late game, with both teams pushing to secure qualification for next season’s Champions League.
Arsenal held by Everton, Wolves push Ipswich closer to relegation
https://arab.news/zhq6a
Arsenal held by Everton, Wolves push Ipswich closer to relegation
- Leandro Trossard’s opener for the Gunners was canceled out by Iliman Ndiaye’s penalty to leave Arsenal trailing 11 points behind Liverpool
- Liverpool now need just 11 points from their remaining eight games
Bangladesh to face the UAE in 2-match T20 series in Sharjah
- It is the 2nd T20 series between the sides in 3 years, following an encounter in Dubai in 2022 from which Bangladesh emerged with a 2-0 victory
- The ‘series will provide an ideal preparation opportunity for the UAE ahead of this year’s ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup,’ says Emirates Cricket Board COO Subhan Ahmad
SHARJAH: The Bangladesh men’s cricket team will visit the UAE this month for a two-match T20 International series against the Emirati national side. The games will be played at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on May 17 and 19.
It will be the second T20 series between the two sides in three years, following a two-match encounter in Dubai in September 2022, from which Bangladesh emerged with a 2-0 victory.
Subhan Ahmad, chief operating officer of the Emirates Cricket Board, welcomed the upcoming series and the chance for the UAE to test themselves against an established full member of the ICC from Asia.
“We are excited to host the Bangladesh men’s team for another bilateral T20I series with the UAE men’s team,” he said. “The Emirates Cricket Board is always keen on providing opportunities to the UAE’s national side against quality opponents.
“In the last three years we have hosted ICC full members New Zealand, the West Indies and Afghanistan, while Bangladesh’s T20 series tour is their second bilateral tour of the UAE in three years.
“The two-match Bangladesh series will provide an ideal preparation opportunity for the UAE ahead of this year’s ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup and we thank the Bangladesh Cricket Board for their support for UAE Cricket. The Sharjah Cricket Stadium is an excellent venue for T20 cricket and we look forward to hosting two exciting games.”
Nizam Uddin Chowdhury, CEO of the Bangladesh Cricket Board, echoed these sentiments and said the series will be an important part of his side’s broader preparations for upcoming competitions.
“We are pleased to see the Bangladesh national team’s return to the UAE,” he said. “The BCB values the opportunity to engage in competitive cricket and we appreciate the initiative of the Emirates Cricket Board in arranging this T20 series.
“These matches will serve as an important part of our team’s preparations ahead of a packed international calendar, including the upcoming Asia Cup. We are confident that these two games will further strengthen the cricketing ties between the BCB and ECB and provide quality entertainment to the cricket fans.”
INTERVIEW: Kawasaki Frontale’s Sai van Wermeskerken says pressure all on Al-Ahli in ACL Elite final
- First-time champions to be crowned in Saturday’s showdown
JEDDAH: Having ended the AFC Champions League Elite dreams of Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr in Wednesday’s semifinal, Kawasaki Frontale’s full-back Sai van Wermeskerken is now plotting another upset.
First-time champions of the ACL Elite will be crowned on Saturday when Kawasaki face Al-Ahli in the final — at the Jeddah club’s King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.
And although Al-Ahli are the favorites, Van Wermeskerken says he and his teammates are determined to take the trophy back to Japan.
Van Wermeskerken told Arab News in an exclusive interview ahead of the final: “The final is going to be such a special game.
“Al-Ahli is a really tough opponent but, after what we did in the semifinal, we know if we can play as a team we have a great chance to win this tournament.”
Van Wermeskerken, whose father is Dutch and mother is Japanese, left Eredivisie side NEC Nijmegen for Kawasaki Frontale last summer — ending an 11-year stay in the Netherlands.
With Japanese football stadiums noticeably less hostile than their European counterparts, the player has relished playing in front of animated crowds in Jeddah.
He said: “We were training beside the stadium when Al-Hilal played Gwangju (in the first quarterfinal) and could hear the noise. We were like ‘OK, these finals are going to be loud.’
“I have played in some incredible atmospheres in Europe — big games against Ajax, PSV and Feyenoord — and this was definitely comparable and I love these types of games. If you play well and the home fans boo, I find that very motivational.
“I know for some of my teammates it was a bit more difficult; this is not the normal atmosphere in Japan so it was a great learning experience for them. I think 5 percent of the stadium was our supporters and 95 percent against us.
“We know it will be the same against Al-Ahli, which makes it really tough of course. But because we survived the semifinal I think it will be much easier for us mentally in the final.”
Van Wermeskerken insists he has not felt overawed by the quality of opponents in the ACL Elite finals in Saudi Arabia. He helped to successfully shackle AFC Player of the Year Akram Afif in the quarterfinal victory over Al-Sadd, before keeping Cristiano Ronaldo at bay and marking Sadio Mane in the 3-2 last-four win over Al-Nassr.
Goals from Tatsuya Ito, Yuto Ozeki and 38-year-old Kawasaki veteran Akihiro Ienaga handed Shigetoshi Hasebe’s team a famous triumph.
Van Wermeskerken said: “I felt emotional after the semifinal. It was really fun and one of the most enjoyable games in my career.
“If you’re playing football, of course those names like Ronaldo, who have already made so much history, are the players you always hope to play against. I loved the experience; I was not scared of facing Ronaldo or Mane — I respect them but also feel I have the confidence to stop them.”
The full-back will have to be at his best again in the final as he faces Al-Ahli’s twin wing threat of Galeno and Riyad Mahrez. The former has contributed three goals and three assists in his six ACL Elite games since arriving from FC Porto in January, while Mahrez is favorite to be named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player having scored nine and set up eight more in his 12 matches this season.
Van Wermeskerken said: “Mahrez is an amazing player, of course. My old teammate at PEC Zwolle, Oussama Darfalou, played for the Algeria national team with Mahrez and he texted me after we won the semifinal to say I’d better play my best.
“Of course, I know how good he is. Mahrez can change what he wants to do at the last moment — his movement is very unpredictable. He can find solutions from difficult situations. I prefer to face a player who just keeps dribbling against me, but I know Mahrez is creative and can come up with moments out of nowhere.”
Mahrez and teammate Roberto Firmino could become the first players to win the UEFA and AFC Champions League titles if Al-Ahli win on Saturday, but Van Wermeskerken has other ideas.
While he recognizes Kawasaki Frontale will be underdogs for the final, the Japanese defender insists that the pressure Al-Ahli feel as hosts could weigh heavily on Matthias Jaissle’s side.
He said: “We still have the feeling of the challenger, like we did against Al-Nassr, but we also have belief in our ability. I don’t know how Al-Ahli feel, but of course there is an inevitable pressure and expectation from the supporters.
“Al-Ahli had a really tough game against Al-Hilal and, honestly, we know we can win this final. For Kawasaki Frontale it is a chance at history — not just for one person, but for this whole club.
“It is the only trophy missing at this moment; the club has won everything else, and taking home this trophy is all that the players and coaches have been talking about since I joined. We believe we can do it.”
Guardiola clarifies comments about taking a break from managing football
- The 54-year-old clarified the comments ahead of City’s Premier League match against Wolverhampton
- “Nooo! No, no, no I didn’t say I’m leaving now or at the end of the season. Well, if they sack me, yes,” Guardiola told Sky Sports
MANCHESTER: Pep Guardiola has vowed to take a break from football when his time at Manchester City is over, but stifled speculation that he is leaving the club any time soon in a pre-game interview on Friday.
Guardiola, who signed a two-year contract extension with City in November, raised eyebrows when he told ESPN Brasil: “I want people to remember me however they want. After my contract with City, I’m going to stop. I’m sure. I don’t know if I’m going to retire, but I’m going to take a break.”
The 54-year-old clarified the comments ahead of City’s Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Friday.
“Nooo! No, no, no I didn’t say I’m leaving now or at the end of the season. Well, if they sack me, yes,” Guardiola told Sky Sports.
“But I’m saying when I finish my time here, I don’t know in one year, two years, three years, four years, five years, six years — I don’t know — I will take a break. I won’t retire but I will take a break, for sure.”
City had kicked off the season hoping to win a record-fifth successive Premier League title, but the team has had a rough season and were fourth in the table before Friday night’s game, 21 points behind Liverpool who clinched the title last weekend.
“Do you know what it means in football to have a two-year contract for managers? It’s an eternity!” Guardiola told Sky at Etihad Stadium.
“What I’m saying is when I finish here, I will take a break. I need to make a stop, that’s all. But still we are here to beat Wolves.”
Kovac sets sights on Champions League spot as Dortmund welcome Wolfsburg
- Dortmund, who were 11th earlier this year, have turned their season around after Kovac took charge in February and now sit sixth
- “We’re within striking distance again,” Kovac said
BERLIN: Resurgent Borussia Dortmund will seek the help of their crowd as the 12th man when they host mid-table Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga with a Champions League spot within reach after a difficult campaign, manager Niko Kovac said on Friday.
Dortmund, who were 11th earlier this year, have turned their season around after Kovac took charge in February and now sit sixth, three points behind Freiburg who occupy the fourth and final Champions League qualifying spot.
“We’re within striking distance again,” Kovac said ahead of Saturday’s match at the 81,365-capacity Westfalenstadion.
“The game is very important. We’re focusing on our opponents, because we’re dependent on the other teams and we have to do our homework ... It’s about showing the same energy as in the last few games.
“If we play our game like we have in recent weeks, I’m convinced that we can unleash a force with the crowd that Wolfsburg will find difficult to counter.”
Dortmund have taken 13 points from their last five games to climb the table and have three games left to salvage their campaign.
If not the Champions League, they can still qualify for the Europa League, with RB Leipzig in fifth — a point above Dortmund.
Kovac also managed Wolfsburg between 2022 and 2024 and the Croatian is wary of the Lower Saxony side, even though Dortmund have a superb record against them at home.
Dortmund have not lost in their last 11 Bundesliga home games against Wolfsburg, winning nine. Wolfsburg have scored just one goal at Westfalenstadion since the 2016-17 season.
“They’re dangerous from set pieces and in transition. We have to be careful there,” Kovac said.
“I’m looking forward to seeing everyone (at Wolfsburg) again but we also know the importance of the game. Friendships will be put aside for 90 minutes.”
PSG’s injured Dembele to miss Strasbourg trip, eyeing return for Arsenal
- Dembele is PSG’s top scorer this season with 33 goals in all competitions
- “Tomorrow he won’t play, that’s for sure,” Luis Enrique told reporters
PARIS: Paris St. Germain forward Ousmane Dembele will miss their Ligue 1 trip to Strasbourg with a hamstring strain, manager Luis Enrique said on Friday as the French side look to have him back for next week’s Champions League semifinal second leg against Arsenal.
Dembele is PSG’s top scorer this season with 33 goals in all competitions and also netted the winner in their 1-0 first leg victory at Arsenal, but the 27-year-old came off in the 70th minute, going straight down the tunnel with an apparent injury.
PSG confirmed he had a hamstring strain and that his “condition is progressing well,” with further assessments to be conducted in the coming days.
“Tomorrow he won’t play, that’s for sure,” Luis Enrique told reporters, while also declining to confirm if he will rotate his squad with the Ligue 1 title already in the bag.
“We’re going to do what we’ve been doing up to now, with the same idea. Nothing has changed.
“The most important thing is that every minute spent wearing the PSG jersey is useful for matches in other competitions.”
PSG lost their chance to go an entire league season unbeaten when they suffered a 3-1 defeat by Nice last weekend.
Luis Enrique’s side can still finish the season unbeaten on the road but the Spaniard has no interest in that record as they prepare to face Arsenal on Wednesday and Reims in the French Cup final later this month.
“It’s a match we’re preparing for in the Champions League, in the Coupe de France, not for the unbeaten record,” he said.
“It would be great to win the match in Strasbourg, but the motivation is to prepare for the Champions League match, not to break an unbeaten record.”
PSG have fallen in the Champions League knockout stages in recent years and have the opportunity to return to the final for only the second time as they chase a treble.
“We want to achieve this objective of playing this final, but there is still the semifinal second leg,” said Luis Enrique, who previously won the treble coaching Barcelona.
“There is not much time to rest, you have to manage all of this. We, the coaches, go for the best. I’ve been a top-level coach for several years and it’s part of the job.”
