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A member of Ange Postecoglou's squad will be out of action until April after sustaining a fracture in his foot, as news comes out of Tottenham this week.

Spurs dealt injury blows throughout 2023/2024

Since the beginning of this season, an alarming stat for the Lilywhites has been the sheer amount of long-term absences for key players.

Tottenham staff now totally unconvinced by player, he's ready to quit

The north Londoners could see a host of players depart this summer.

By
Emilio Galantini

Mar 13, 2024

It's testament to the job Postecoglou has done that, regardless, they're still in the driving seat to secure Champions League qualification ahead of Aston Villa. Micky van de Ven, James Maddison, Manor Solomon, Ivan Perisic, Cristian Romero, Richarlison, Brennan Johnson, Giovani Lo Celso, Ashley Phillips, Ryan Sessegnon and Rodrigo Bentancur have all spent a month or more on the sidelines this campaign, with worries now surrounding van de Ven after he was taken off against Villa last weekend.

Tottenham's next league fixtures	Date
Fulham (away)	March 16th
Luton Town (home)	March 30th
West Ham (away)	April 2nd
Nottingham Forest (home)	April 8th
Newcastle United (away)	April 13th

Just after November, Spurs had to cope without star duo Maddison and van de Ven for a large period following their injury blows against Chelsea, with Postecoglou even forced to deploy a makeshift centre-back pairing of Emerson Royal and Ben Davies at points.

Sessegnon is also out for the rest of the season after picking up yet another hamstring injury, but sports scientist Dr Rajpal Brar has backed the left-back to return stronger.

“He still has plenty of time right? It is just one of those things with injury cycles or muscular injuries where it can be really tough to get out of, even for more developed players," said Brar

"There has certainly been cases where other players have got into it (injury cycles) and got out of it. It is not by any means a death knell for his career or anything.

“He has plenty of time and the key will be some methodical rehab, then some good fortune so you have to hope for the best. He has more time to build back and there is also not as much pressure to get back than say a 29- or 30-year-old who is angling to get back to play and get a new contract or whatever it is, whereas it is different for a younger player.”

Alongside Sessegnon and Richarlison, who's also on the treatment table but expected back much sooner, an update has come to light on back-up keeper Fraser Forster.

Forster out until mid-April after foot fracture

According to journalist Wayne Veysey, writing for Football Insider, Spurs keeper Forster is set to be sidelined until mid-April after sustaining a fracture in his foot last month.

The Englishman, who stands behind Guglielmo Vicario in the pecking order, will apparently be absent for another five weeks before being eligible for Postecoglou's match day squad.

Forster, who joined on a free transfer from Southampton in 2022, is under contract with the Lilywhites until 2025.

Spain enjoyed a golden generation between 2008 and 2012, winning two European Championships and a World Cup. During that time, they arguably had some of the best players in world football, some of whom scored plenty of goals during their international careers.

But who is Spain's record goalscorer? Football FanCast has taken a look at the top La Roja scorers of all time, with a detailed view of the very best Spain has produced over the years…

All information correct as of 21st March 2024.

Rank

Player

Caps

Goals

1

David Villa

98

59

2

Raul

102

44

3

Fernando Torres

110

38

4

David Silva

125

35

5

Alvaro Morata

69

34

6

Fernando Hierro

89

29

7

Fernando Morientes

47

27

8

Emilio Butragueno

69

26

=9

Alfredo di Stefano

31

23

=9

Sergio Ramos

180

23

11

Julio Salinas

56

22

12

Michel

66

21

13

Telmo Zarra

20

20

14

Ferran Torres

40

18

15

Pedro

65

17

=16

Isidro Langara

12

16

=16

Luis Regueiro

25

16

=16

Pirri

41

16

=16

Xabi Alonso

116

16

=20

Santillana

56

15

=20

Santi Cazorla

81

15

=20

Cesc Fabregas

110

15

Here is a detailed look at Spain's top 10 goalscorers:

10 Sergio Ramos 23 goals (180 caps)

Centre-back Sergio Ramos is the most-capped player in Spain’s history, and he averaged a decent scoring record for a defender.

The Real Madrid icon retired from international duty in 2023 after winning three major tournaments during that golden period between 2008 and 2012. Eight of his 23 goals were scored from the penalty spot, and he actually missed four spot kicks which could’ve taken him higher in the list.

9 Alfredo di Stefano 23 goals (31 caps)

Alfredo di Stefano, another Real Madrid legend, also netted 23 goals for his country, but did so in an impressive 31 appearances.

The striker actually represented Argentina and Colombia during his career, and didn’t make his debut for Spain until the age of 31. He won the Ballon d'Or twice in 1957 and 1959, years in which he was scoring regularly for Spain.

8 Emilio Butragueno 26 goals (69 caps)

Forward Emilio Butragueno was actually Spain’s record goalscorer for a number of years, scoring 26 goals over an eight-year international career.

Nicknamed El Buitre, Butragueno, who came through Real Madrid’s academy, represented Spain in two World Cups and two European Championships, but never won a major tournament. He retired from international football in 1992 at the tender age of 29.

7 Fernando Morientes 27 goals (47 caps)

Striker Fernando Morientes made quite an impact on his Spain debut, scoring two goals inside five minutes against Sweden. He then went on to net a brace in his second and third caps against Northern Ireland and Bulgaria, making 1998 his most productive year in front of goal at international level.

The former Real Madrid and Liverpool forward also scored in two major tournaments, falling just shy of 50 caps.

6 Fernando Hierro 29 goals (89 caps)

A defender who could also play as a holding midfielder, Fernando Hierro had a brilliant goal record for his country. Trusted on free kicks and penalties, the Real Madrid icon scored eight of his 29 goals from 12 yards.

He returned to manage Spain in the 2018 World Cup, where they didn’t have as much luck from the spot, with La Roja losing a shootout against Russia in the last 16.

5 Alvaro Morata 34 goals (69 caps)

Current Spain captain Alvaro Morata currently sits in the top five, but may have his eyes on climbing the leaderboard before retiring.

The 31-year-old made his debut back in 2014 and scored seven goals for his country in the years 2016 and 2022. A UEFA Nations League winner, Morata will be hoping to add a European Championship or World Cup winners' medal to his collection as captain.

4 David Silva 35 goals (125 caps)

Known for being a creative attacking midfielder, David Silva also chipped in with an impressive 35 goals in 125 appearances.

In fact, the former Manchester City playmaker scored more goals than he registered assists (32) and played an important role in their two European Championship wins and World Cup triumph.

He retired from international football in 2018 and ended his club career in 2023.

3 Fernando Torres 38 goals (110 caps)

After progressing through Spain’s youth levels at a rapid pace, Fernando Torres made his senior debut as a teenager in 2003 and went on to enjoy a successful international career.

Nicknamed El Nino, Torres played for the likes of Atletico Madrid, Liverpool and Chelsea at club level. He famously scored the winner for Spain and was named Player of the Match in the Euro 2008 final against Germany – the most important of his 38 international goals.

2 Raul 44 goals (102 caps)

After making waves as a teenager at Real Madrid, Raul made his Spain debut at the age of just 19 and went on to become La Roja’s all-time record goalscorer in 2003.

Raul played in five major tournaments but never took home a winners' medal, retiring in 2006 after playing more than 100 games. Unfortunately for him, Spain’s rise was just getting started upon his retirement, which involved a forward who would eventually overtake him at the top of the scoring charts.

1 David Villa 59 goals (98 caps)

Top of the charts is David Villa, who hit his prime in 2008 to help Spain to European Championship glory, years on after taking the famous No 7 shirt from Raul.

He scored 12 goals in 28 games prior to 2008, but Villa would go on to net 39 times over the next four years, also lifting the World Cup in South Africa in 2010. He retired from international football in 2014, but came back out of retirement in 2017 for a 98th cap against Italy.

Chamari Atapattu made her fifth ODI hundred but it wasn’t enough to challenge Australia

The Report by Andrew McGlashan09-Oct-2019

Alyssa Healy’s 71-ball hundred took Australia to their record-breaking win•Getty Images

Alyssa Healy continued her prolific run-scoring form by plundering a 71-ball hundred on her way to an unbeaten 76-ball 112 as Australia surged to a record-breaking 18th ODI victory in a row with a nine-wicket hammering of Sri Lanka.Chamari Atapattu’s 103, her fifth ODI hundred and her second century of the tour following her T20I ton in Sydney, anchored Sri Lanka’s effort but the next-best score was 24 and they could still only post 8 for 195, which proved way short of giving Australia a challenge. A 3-0 series result was nothing less than expected, but Australia’s ruthlessness was impressive.Healy and Rachael Haynes, who backed up her maiden ODI century with 63 to take her tally to 237 runs in the series, cruised towards the target – although both were dropped in the same over off Achini Kulasuriya – before Haynes was out sweeping with 37 runs needed.Healy raced off the blocks in the chase and Australia’s fifty came up in the sixth over. She should have been dismissed on 68 but the chance was spilled at deep midwicket and Haynes was then given a life on 39, but even if held it’s unlikely the result would have differed.Healy’s third ODI hundred, which have all come in the last two years during which time she has averaged 57.15, came with captain Meg Lanning alongside her and a match-winning six was a fitting way for Australia to set their new record, surpassing the 17 wins in a row they managed between 1997 and 1999 under the captaincy of Belinda Clark.For the first time in the series, Sri Lanka were able to set a target and there was a promising foundation at 1 for 68 before Harshitha Madavi was smartly run out by Healy’s direct hit as she ran around from behind the stumps after a badly misjudged single. They slumped to 5 for 87 as Georgia Wareham struck twice, but Atapattu held firm.She added 49 with Ama Kanchana and 47 with Oshadi Ranasinghe, bringing up an impressive hundred off 120 deliveries, to put a seal on a tour where she has been head and shoulders above the rest of Sri Lanka’s batting.

Manchester United have struggled for consistency this season, with only an FA Cup and a top-four spot up for grabs.

Although change has been occurring behind the scenes, Sir Jim Ratcliffe is keen for the squad to push for those goals, with some players and staff jobs under inspection.

However, there are new aims from an off-field perspective, with incoming CEO Omar Berrada being set the challenge of managing player wages.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at a player who’s cost the club millions despite barely stepping foot on the pitch.

Tom Heaton’s salary

Tom Heaton joined Man United from Aston Villa on a free transfer after the end of the 2020/21 season, with the experienced shot-stopper signed by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as a backup to David De Gea and Dean Henderson.

The England keeper was third choice in between the sticks, and seeing as the position is hardly rotated, his involvement over the years has been far from frequent.

According to Capology, the "outstanding" Heaton, as per creator Liam canning," is currently earning 45k-per-week, which is £5k less than Alejandro Garnacho and just over four times more than young Kobbie Mainoo.

This means that the 37-year-old will have cost the club around £7m in wages over his three year contract, which is set to expire this summer.

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Posts ByTom Lever Feb 29, 2024 What Heaton earns compared to other PL back-up goalkeepers

De Gea had been the number one keeper at Old Trafford for the past decade, but in the summer, United decided to let the Spaniard leave on a free, as Erik ten Hag looked to complete an overhaul of the department.

Due to the exit of De Gea and Henderson moving to Crystal Palace, Heaton enjoyed his best spell in a United shirt, playing four games in pre-season and even captaining the side against Athletic Club.

However, the Dutch boss brought in last season’s Champions League runner-up, Andre Onana, to be the new number one while also signing Altay Bayindir to be his backup, which has meant Heaton hasn't been seen on the pitch since.

The veteran's lack of involvement this season has kept his total competitive appearances to three since 2021, making only two starts, both in the EFL Cup last season. This equates to over £2m earned per appearance and approximately £3.5m per start.

Heaton vs Backup PL GK's

Player

Wage P/W

Caoimhin Kelleher

£10k

Djordje Petrovic

£25k

Altay Bayindir

£35k

Tom Heaton

£45k

Stefan Ortega

£55k

Via Capology

As can be seen in the table above, when compared to other second-choice keepers in the Premier League – bearing in mind that Heaton is third-choice – he is far from the highest earner, but he’s also not exactly the lowest either.

Furthermore, the likes of Ortega, Kelleher, and Petrovic all play important roles for their team, with them featuring in nine, 17, and 17 games, respectively. Even Bayindir earns less than Heaton, which could be looked at as a positive due to the fact that United seem to be working on reducing player wages, which is certainly a step forward.

Wage Burners

Football FanCast's Wage Burners series explores the salaries of the modern-day game.

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Overall, Heaton hasn’t really offered much to warrant a £45k-per-week contract, but in fairness, he’s not really been handed an opportunity to prove his worth.

Glasgow Rangers 3-0 Premiership victory over Livingston on the weekend saw them cut the gap to just three points at the top of the league table.

Philippe Clement could lead the Gers level on points with Celtic at the summit should they beat Aberdeen at Ibrox this evening, and it would make for a remarkable turnaround, especially considering the club lost three of their first seven top-flight matches this term.

With a League Cup victory under their belts and progress to the last 16 of the Europa League, Rangers certainly have the ascendancy as they look to end Celtic’s dominance of the Premiership recently.

The Dons will be a stern proposition, especially with the figure of Neil Warnock travelling north to take control of the club until the end of the season.

Clement, therefore, may have to make a few changes to his starting XI for the clash this evening and that could see a few players drop out from the weekend win.

One player who drops to the bench could be Rabbi Matondo, despite his solid showing against Livingston.

Rabbi Matondo will drop to the bench against Aberdeen

The Welsh winger has returned to some sort of form this season following on from a relatively underwhelming campaign in Glasgow during 2022/23.

Much was expected of him following his big-money move from Schalke in the summer of 2022 and the Gers badly needed a creative and pacey winger who could pose a direct goal threat.

Despite the early promise, Matondo only managed to register five assists throughout the whole season, and it looked as though he was on his way out of Ibrox last summer.

He enjoyed a solid pre-season and worked his way into Michael Beale’s plans for the first few weeks of the season, culminating in the 23-year-old scoring his first goal for the club in a Champions League qualifier against PSV Eindhoven.

Since that match, Matondo has scored another two goals along with grabbing a further four assists, and he has proven to be a reliable attacking outlet on the left flank.

Clement started him against Livingston on the weekend and while it was a mixed performance, it did produce a goal and a few glimpses of his undoubted potential.

Rabbi Matondo’s performance vs Livingston in numbers

With Abdallah Sima out for the foreseeable future due to suffering an injury on international duty with Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations, Matondo has been looked upon to step up to the plate and start producing.

Against Livi, he certainly posed a threat going forward, yet his final ball was often poor, evidenced by the fact he failed to deliver a single accurate cross from three deliveries, and he succeeded with just two of his five attempted dribble attempts.

Matondo’s persistence in trying to beat defenders resulted in him losing possession 17 times during his 61 minutes on the pitch, yet he more than made up for it with a wonderful effort to give Rangers a two-goal advantage.

It was a sublime effort which nestled into the bottom corner from the edge of the box, and it proves that he can certainly add something to Clement’s team.

Against the Dons, however, the Belgian may be set to unleash January signing Oscar Cortes, especially as the youngster made his debut on the weekend.

Oscar Cortes could make his first start for Rangers vs Aberdeen

The Colombian signed for the Light Blues towards the end of the transfer window on a loan deal from RC Lens, and it looks as though it could be a shrewd bit of business by the club.

25

One

16/19

One

Six times

0

While he only had 30 minutes to get into the game, Cortes delivered one accurate cross, made one key pass and took 25 touches, indicating that he was keen on getting into the game as often as possible.

It was a positive debut and the more he plays, the better he will get, especially in front of a packed Ibrox crowd wanting the youngster to showcase his talents.

The 20-year-old may have only made four Ligue 1 appearances for Lens during the first half of the season, yet he scored once and grabbed an assist while averaging just 13 minutes per game in the French top flight.

The £8k-per-week sensation had registered 12 goal contributions – seven goals and five assists – across just 28 games for Millonarios prior to his move to Europe and this is evidence that he can be a goal threat from either out wide or just behind the striker.

With Todd Cantwell and Tom Lawrence battling it out for the number ten slot, it is clear Cortes will be fighting for a place in the side alongside Matondo and Clement could unleash him tonight.

His full range of skills were demonstrated during the U20 World Cup last summer, where he finished the tournament with six goals and assists, which ranked him fourth out of all the players, while he also ranked first in the competition for big chances created (four) and third for key passes per game (3.4) and these figures clearly prove Cortes can generate plenty of chances for his teammates while posing as a goal threat too.

RC Lens podcaster Lucas Colin spoke to the Rangers Review regarding what the Ibrox faithful could expect from Cortes, saying:

"He's like cold blood, very calm in the box. He can be a player that you can love very quickly"

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That last statement could come true if he manages to score on his full debut against Aberdeen tonight, and he has everything in his locker to terrorise their defence into submission.

Will Clement go for the tried and tested option of Matondo against Neil Warnock’s men? Or will he go down the surprise element route and unleash the 20-year-old sensation in front of a packed crowd baying for blood?

Only time will tell, but so far during his stint in Glasgow, the Belgian manager has never shied away from making the big decisions and with goals needed against a poor Aberdeen side, whoever does start on the left flank will need to produce the goods.

تترقب جماهير الكرة المصرية مباراة القمة بين الأهلي والزمالك، والتي تجمع بينهما اليوم الجمعة في إطار مواجهة بطولة كأس السوبر الإفريقي.

وتقام مباراة الأهلي والزمالك على أرضية استاد المملكة آرينا، وذلك في نهائي السوبر الإفريقي في المواجهة الثانية تاريخيًا بين الفريقين بعد نسخة 1994.

طالع.. مباشر بالفيديو | مباراة الأهلي والزمالك في كأس السوبر الإفريقي.. أحداث ما قبل المباراة

وكان الأهلي قد حقق لقب دوري أبطال إفريقيا على حساب الترجي التونسي، بالفوز عليه بهدف دون رد، ليتوج باللقب الـ12 في تاريخه.

بينما فاز الزمالك ببطولة كأس الكونفدرالية الإفريقية أمام نهضة بركان المغربي، ليحصد اللقب الثاني له بالبطولة القارية.

وكان الاتحاد الإفريقي لكرة القدم، قد أعلن عن طاقم تحكيم مباراة الأهلي والزمالك، بقيادة الليبي معتز إبراهيم الشلماني.

وتقرر أن يرتدي الأهلي زيه التقليدي المكون من الفانلة الحمراء والشورت الأبيض والجورب الأحمر، بينما يرتدي حارس المرمى اللون الفسفوري.

بينما يخوض الزمالك مباراة اليوم أمام الأهلي مرتديًا الزي الأسود بالكامل بينما يرتدي حارس المرمى الطاقم الأصفر.

ويسعى الأهلي لتحقيق لقب بطولة السوبر الإفريقي للمرة التاسعة في تاريخه، بعد فوز القلعة الحمراء بالبطولة في 8 مناسبات محققًا الرقم القياسي كأكثر فرق القارة السمراء حصدًا للكأس.

وفي المقابل يمتلك الزمالك 4 كؤوس من السوبر الإفريقي، ويسعى أبناء ميت عقبة لتكرار إنجاز 1994، عندما فاز الأبيض بهدف دون رد. موعد مباراة الأهلي والزمالك اليوم في السوبر الإفريقي

ومن المقرر أن يلتقي الأهلي مع الزمالك اليوم الجمعة 27 سبتمبر، في تمام الساعة التاسعة مساءً بتوقيت مصر والسعودية. القنوات الناقلة لمباراة الأهلي والزمالك في كأس السوبر الإفريقي

وأعلنت شبكة قنوات “mbc masr”، عن إذاعة مباراة السوبر الإفريقي بين الأهلي والزمالك عبر قناتيها mbc masr 1، وmbc masr 2.

كما تنقل المباراة عبر قناة Bein Sports المفتوحة على قمر النايل سات، بالإضافة إلى قناة أبو ظبي الرياضية. معلقين مباراة الأهلي والزمالك في كأس السوبر الإفريقي

وكشفت شبكة قنوات mbc masr عن إسناد مهمة التعليق على أحداث مباراة الأهلي والزمالك في السوبر الإفريقي لـ فارس عوض عبر فضائية mbc masr 1 والمعلق المصري مدحت شلبي على mbc masr 2.

وفي الوقت ذاته، استقرت شبكة قنوات بي إن سبورتس على إسناد مهمة نقل أحداث المباراة للتونسي عصام الشوالي.

ويمكنكم مطالعة مواعيد ونتائج جميع المباريات لحظة بلحظة عبر مركز المباريات من هنا.

Australia’s search for their best starting XI this World Cup continues, according to assistant coach Brad Haddin. Australia are comfortably placed with four wins and a loss to India, but there’s a sense that a few of the wins haven’t been entirely convincing. Then, there’s also the absence of Marcus Stoinis – injured – that hasn’t helped team balance.”At the moment we’re still trying to find that best XI,” Haddin said. “Marcus has thrown a spanner into everything there with his injury and how important an allrounder he is. We’re still trying to find what best works for us. Come later in the tournament, we’ll start to understand what the conditions are like a lot better and what is our best XI.”Haddin also admitted while it wasn’t yet a matter of concern, they’ve spoken about the need to be flexible at all times if they are to win a sixth World Cup. “The players understand that and we’re training them accordingly,” he said. “I think one of the luxuries at the moment is we’re still winning, and we still haven’t found the perfect rhythm for our game, which is a dangerous sign moving forward.”It’s not just about the healthy headaches. There’s also an issue surrounding the lack of certainty around batting roles. Usman Khawaja, for example, has mostly alternated with Steven Smith at No. 3 and No. 4. He also dropped to No. 6 against Pakistan. All this despite establishing himself with runs at the top of the order while David Warner was serving his one-year ban for ball-tampering.Australia have generally relied on a right-left combination to follow the openers, but Khawaja has struggled for rhythm lower down the order; his effectiveness not at the same level as it was while he was opening. Haddin, though, insisted the team management is happy at where he’s at.”He’s playing a different role. It’s not that he’s not having success, he’s been in a role where he’s had limited opportunities,” Haddin explained. “Before, he could go out and set the pace of the innings and now the innings is dictating the role he needs to play.”He’s been okay with it – he’s a class act. We’re pretty happy with where he’s at – he’s just got to bat the situation, and No.3 is not uncommon to him. He’s played most of his career at No.3 in state cricket and Test cricket.”Australia are also posed with the question of just when is the right time to send in Glenn Maxwell. He was promoted to No. 4 against Pakistan but has batted a position lower in the other games. An undefeated 48 against Sri Lanka has so far been his best score in the tournament.”The one thing we’ve found with Glenn is he’s an explosive player and as you’ve seen [against Sri Lanka] he can turn a game very quickly by himself, but he’s also got to fit into what’s best for the team at that time,” Haddin said. We’ve moved him up and down, and that might look like nervous decisions that we’re making, but we’ve spoken about them a lot before.”It’s not a shock that he’s moving up and down the order, and all the players understand that. He’s pretty confident as well. I don’t think it’ll worry him.”Australia will be encouraged that despite these issues, they have still been able to win. But they don’t want to have unanswered questions into the next phase of the tournament.”What we’re doing at the moment is some really good signs in tournament play,” said Haddin. “There’s some signs out there we’re doing some things really well, and some signs that we need to work on things.””It’s important we get to these bigger games and see where we really are leading into the back-end of the tournament. It’s sort of panning out how we expected in tournament play.””Now is a really exciting time in the tournament – a run against some of the top nations that are playing some really good cricket. It’s exciting to see where we’re at and hopefully as we get deeper into the tournament we’ll know which is our best XI.”

A goal for Fran Kirby in her last Blues game capped a super day out for the travelling fans as their side were crowned champions of England again

Ahead of Chelsea's title-deciding trip to Old Trafford, where a win over Manchester United was likely to clinch the Women's Super League title, it was all about Emma Hayes and her final game in charge of the Blues. But Mayra Ramirez's match-winning performance in a 6-0 thrashing was so good that it even overshadowed that narrative for large parts, the Colombia star returning from injury in time to put the Red Devils to the sword with two goals and two assists in an absolutely blistering individual display that helped Chelsea win a fifth successive league title.

There were only two minutes on the clock when Guro Reiten's inch-perfect cross was met by Ramirez to break the deadlock, and just six more minutes had passed when the forward turned provider with a through ball that Johanna Rytting Kaneryd finished well. United's biggest chance came from a corner, perhaps unsurprisingly given their influence on last weekend's FA Cup final triumph. But after Maya Le Tissier saw her header come back off the bar midway through the first half, Chelsea spent the next 20 minutes truly putting the game, and the title race, to bed.

The Blues' third and fourth goals were devastating from Ramirez. First, she burst past Millie Turner and even left the England defender on the floor before teeing up Sjoeke Nusken for a tap-in, then a similarly destructive run into the box ended with the striker finishing for herself, a thumping shot far too powerful for Mary Earps to stop. There was at least some brief respite for the Red Devils after the break, albeit only after Melanie Leupolz made it five straight after the restart – and there would be a sixth, as Fran Kirby came off the bench and bid farewell to the club with a goal on her final appearance.

Hayes said before the game that she wouldn't bother keeping an eye on the Manchester City score at Villa Park as she would be focused on securing a necessary win. In the end, she didn't need to anyway. As it played out, City would've needed to beat Aston Villa by nine goals to claim the title ahead of Chelsea, rather than by the 2-1 scoreline they managed. Instead, after some difficult weeks that saw a quadruple hunt fall apart, Hayes and her team got their hands on the title once more – sending their iconic manager off to the United States on a high.

GOAL rates Chelsea's players from Old Trafford…

GettyGoalkeeper & Defence

Zecira Musovic (6/10):

Hardly had anything to do.

Jess Carter (7/10):

Some solid interventions in a different role to usual.

Millie Bright (7/10):

Another encouraging display as she works her way back to her best after several months out.

Nathalie Bjorn (7/10):

Totally reliable at the back and played a superb ball to Reiten for the first goal.

Niamh Charles (7/10):

Dealt well with the lively Garcia, though was inevitably beaten from time to time. No one won possession more often.

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Erin Cuthbert (7/10):

Her scrappy, tenacious self in the middle of the park. No one won more headers.

Melanie Leupolz (7/10):

Battled well in midfield and made a good run from deep to get on the scoresheet for 5-0. Off before the hour.

Catarina Macario (5/10):

Came off in the first half with an injury.

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Johanna Rytting Kaneryd (8/10):

Electric pace caused Man Utd real problems. Great finish to make it 2-0.

Mayra Ramirez (10/10):

Two goals and two assists all before being taken off just before the hour. Simply unplayable.

Guro Reiten (8/10):

Sublime cross to allow Ramirez to break the deadlock and her perseverance was key in the fifth goal, too.

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Sjoeke Nusken (6/10):

Had not even been on the pitch five minutes when she got on the scoresheet.

Sophie Ingle (6/10):

Slipped into midfield for the final half an hour and didn't put a foot wrong. Nice pass in the build-up to Kirby's goal.

Aggie Beever-Jones (5/10):

Came on with just over half an hour to go but the game started to peter out from there so there were not too many bright attacking moments.

Fran Kirby (N/A):

Got a raucous applause from the away end as she came on for her final Chelsea display in the final stages – and marked it with a goal.

Ashley Lawrence (N/A):

On to help see the game out. Some nice touches.

Emma Hayes (8/10):

There were a couple of surprises in the line-up but they all paid off and helped produce a dominant, title-winning display. To have Ramirez back available was an incredibly timely boost.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Palmeiras vai mudar de uniforme muito em breve. Com expectativa de anunciar suas novas camisas 1 e 2, conhecidas tecnicamente como ‘Home’ e ‘Away’, as novas peças já estão prontas, aprovadas e em fase de preparação para distribuição às lojas. O anúncio ainda não tem uma data específica, mas a ideia é estrear o novo fardamento nas finais da Copa do Brasil, que começam no domingo, dia 28.
​
>> Veja a tabela completa do Brasileirão e simule os próximos jogos

​A camisa verde deve ser entregue aos lojistas já na próxima terça-feira (23), enquanto a branca ficará para a quinta (25), junto com os uniformes de goleiros. As datas podem sofrer alterações de logística. Essas camisas dos arqueiros, as três, serão disponibilizadas para venda. A Puma e o Palmeiras são pioneiros no mercado a fazerem essa comercialização que agrada torcedores e colecionadores alviverdes.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasPalmeirasAlém de fazer em casa, Palmeiras tem mapeado promessas e trazido garotos pontuaisPalmeiras18/02/2021PalmeirasCom títulos sobre rivais, Palmeiras fecha temporada de clássicos em jogo atrasado do BrasileiroPalmeiras18/02/2021PalmeirasBoletim do Palmeiras: Wesley liberado pelo DM e Gabriel Menino tem lesão detectadaPalmeiras18/02/2021

​Com conceito disruptivo, moderno e diferente do que foi produzido até aqui pela Puma como fornecedora do Palmeiras, as novas camisas devem mudar um esquema padrão. As unidades verde e branca não seguirão um mesmo estilo. Cada uma terá sua própria forma, mas, juntas, contarão uma história que explica e significa os materiais.

A estreia dos novos modelos caminha para acontecer na final da Copa do Brasil entre Palmeiras e Grêmio. A efetivação dessa ideia depende de protocolos da CBF e de detalhes burocráticos. A ideia é que os jogos decisivos marquem o início da era da terceira leva de camisas produzidas pela Puma para o atual campeão da América.

Reims have parted ways with coach Will Still, who harbours Premier League ambition, after two years in charge of the Ligue 1 club.

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• Still relieved of Reims' duties
• Winless in last five matches
• Aims to manage in England

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Still has left Reims following discussions with club president Jean-Pierre Caillot and general manager Mathieu Lacour, where it was mutually agreed that he would not continue as head coach for the upcoming season. The departure also includes Still's brother and assistant, Nicolas, marking the end of an era for the coaching staff at Stade Reims.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  While the 2023-24 season may not have replicated the previous year's remarkable unbeaten run, Still's impact on the team has been notable. His elevation from an assistant role midway through the 2022-23 season injected fresh energy into the squad, leading to a commendable 19-game unbeaten streak. However, Reims are winless in their last five matches, including three successive defeats.

• WHAT STILL SAID ABOUT PREMIER LEAGUE

  Still's departure from Reims may give him the opportunity to fulfill his long-standing aspiration to manage in the Premier League. Describing himself as "half English, half Belgian, half nothing," Still's upbringing in English football culture, particularly his fondness for West Ham, has shaped his career ambitions. Returning to England to work has always been a cherished goal for Still and his family.

  Speaking to in FebruaryStill said: "Obviously, the Premier League is the ultimate dream for any manager in the world. I’m not in a rush, either. It’s not that, if I come to England, I have to go to the Premier League, or I have to go to this or that club. If something fits then it fits, and I’d be just as happy doing that.

  “I’ve never really had a career plan. I’ve never set a timing on anything. I’ve just waited for opportunities to come up; see how it feels, see what it’s like."

  However, he added that he would be relishing an opportunity at a Championship club as well: "I would work for a Championship team without a problem. What I’ve now understood, I’ve now realised, is how important people are. And how important finding the right place to be is going to be for my career. And people who understand the way I work, because I’m a bit different. I’m a bit odd sometimes. “But if there’s a Championship club that’s ambitious, that wants to work in the right way and be open and honest about things, and really try and push to get somewhere, then I would love to do that."

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  According to Fabrizio RomanoStill did not have the required coaching license to ply his trade in Ligue 1 and hence Reims used to have to pay a €22,000 fine for every game.