
We need to be as ruthless as the top teams - O'Riley

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The Independent
11 minutes ago
- The Independent
Lukas Nmecha scores as Leeds beat Everton to make winning Premier League return
Lukas Nmecha converted a controversial late penalty on his debut as Leeds made a winning return to the Premier League by beating Everton 1-0 at Elland Road. Second-half substitute Nmecha held his nerve to fire home an 84th-minute winner from the spot and seal Leeds a deserved win after Everton captain James Tarkowski was adjudged to have handled. Leeds debutant Anton Stach's thumping shot struck Tarkowski on the arm and although referee Chris Kavanagh's penalty decision appeared harsh, it was upheld by VAR. After a minute's silence in tribute to former Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva, Leeds, back in the top flight after a two-year absence, made their customary feverish start. They forced five corners inside the opening 14 minutes and Jordan Pickford denied them an early breakthrough after Joel Piroe had pounced on Tarkowski's mistake. Piroe's shot was blocked as Everton tried to ride out the storm, but the visitors doggedly held their shape and after 33 minutes, Pickford's save from Piroe's early shot was Leeds' only effort on target. Pascal Struijk's header from another of Stach's excellent corners was brilliantly cleared at the back post by Everton defender Jake O'Brien and Willy Gnonto fired over the crossbar. Leeds dominated the first period, having 12 shots in total to Everton's none, and visiting boss David Moyes will have been glad of the half-time whistle. Gnonto threatened again when shooting straight at Pickford soon after the restart and after Idrissa Gueye had lashed Everton's first shot over, the Italy forward drilled into the side-netting. Everton midfielder Tim Iroegbunam was booked for a late challenge on Ethan Ampadu, which left the Leeds skipper in a crumpled heap before the visitors began to eke out more possession. After Gnonto had made way for substitute Brenden Aaronson, England midfielder Jack Grealish stepped off the bench for his first Everton appearance as a replacement for Iroegbunam. Everton's first effort on target, from Charly Alcaraz, was saved by Leeds debutant Lucas Perri at his near post before Ao Tanaka volleyed over as the home side looked to regain momentum. And fortune favoured Daniel Farke's side when they were on the right side of Kavanagh's penalty decision. Tarkowski leant into Stach's fierce drive and after Kavanagh pointed to the spot, his decision was backed up by VAR and Nmecha, a free summer signing from Wolfsburg, buried his spot-kick, six minutes after replacing Piroe. Everton, who lost only three of their last 18 league games last season following the return of Moyes for his second spell in charge in January, rarely threatened and slipped to their first defeat at Elland Road in six league matches, stretching back to 2001.


The Independent
11 minutes ago
- The Independent
Wayne Rooney: ‘Racially abused player cried on my chest'
Wayne Rooney has revealed how he consoled a former player who 'cried on his chest' after receiving racist abuse. He believes believes only tougher sanctions for racism in football, like points deductions, will prevent further incidents. Speaking on his new BBC podcast, The Wayne Rooney Show, former England and Manchester United captain Rooney reflected on what changes need to occur to help tackle discrimination. Last week saw two major incidents, with Antoine Semenyo of Bournemouth allegedly racially abused by a spectator in the crowd during their 4-2 loss at Liverpool and Tottenham forward Mathys Tel receiving racism online for a missed penalty in their Super Cup defeat to Paris St Germain. Ex-DC United boss Rooney said: 'I had it in DC with one of my players who got racially abused and he was crying on my chest. I was holding him as he was crying on my chest. 'I don't think people realise – they say it as a throwaway line that they think has no meaning behind it, but it hurts people. For people to see that and understand, there has to be more done to stop it.' Points deductions and education were put forward by Rooney as key deterrents to prevent racism. He added: 'There needs to be a strong campaign for society – for children, parents and grandparents – to be educated,' Rooney added. 'You have to hit the clubs because that's the only way it will stop. If there is ignorance, the fans will still do it. 'You have to hit the clubs by taking off points or hit them in the pocket and take money away from them. Otherwise, it will keep on going. 'Hopefully the right people sit down with the right organisations to try and get something serious in place.'


The Sun
12 minutes ago
- The Sun
Premier League star, 25, breaks silence on awkwardly-sized shorts after suffering repeated wardrobe malfunctions
CALVIN BASSEY has broken his silence after he suffered a bizarre wardrobe malfunction. The Fulham star, 25, saw his shorts repeatedly fall down during their visit to Brighton on Saturday afternoon. 6 6 6 6 6 Fabian Hurzeler 's Seagulls saw their pants pulled down by Marco Silva's Cottagers as they snatched a 1-1 draw thanks to a last-gasp Rodrigo Muniz equaliser. But Bassey had to endure this issue repeatedly at the Amex, with fans joking he may need to invest in a tighter fitting pair. And the former Ajax star broke his silence on social media on Monday with a five-word message. He said: "My shorts are going up," and added a smiley face to his message. In response, one fan said: "It's all a distraction for rivals Calvin." A second said: "Surprised there hasn't been sponsorship offers from boxer companies, or even a belt company." A third added: "They called you out." Many others responded with laughing emojis. However, it is not the first time Bassey has suffered a shorts related malfunction in a Premier League game. In April, during a trip to face Arsenal at the Emirates, Bassey was seen warming up on the sideline. Fulham star Calvin Bassey shows Arsenal fans his bum at worst time possible But as he bent over by the corner flag and engaged in some banter with the Gooners in the crowd - who sang "who are ya?" towards him - by patting his backside, disaster struck. Their attention was quickly drawn from the exchange of jokes, with Gunners star Bukayo Saka scoring in the 73rd minute. That goal ended up being decisive as a 94th minute Rodrigo Muniz strike served to only be a consolation. Fulham face Manchester United at Craven Cottage next Sunday.