logo
Wrexham's Championship return ends in late Southampton heartbreak

Wrexham's Championship return ends in late Southampton heartbreak

The Sun4 days ago
WREXHAM's long-awaited return to the Championship ended in dramatic late disappointment as Southampton scored twice in stoppage time to snatch a 2-1 victory.
The Welsh club, owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, had led through Josh Windass' first-half penalty at St Mary's Stadium.
Windass came close to doubling the advantage when he struck the crossbar, but Phil Parkinson's side couldn't hold on against their Premier League-relegated opponents.
New Southampton manager Will Still made the decisive move by introducing Ryan Manning as a second-half substitute.
The Irish defender delivered a stunning 90th-minute free-kick before providing the assist for Jack Stephens' 96th-minute winner.
'I think when we reflect, it's a very proud day for the club playing at this level and there was a lot of positives for us,' said Wrexham boss Parkinson.
Southampton boss Still described the comeback as 'crazy', adding: 'Good to show a bit of grit and determination.'
Elsewhere, Sheffield United suffered a humiliating 4-1 defeat at Bristol City in Ruben Selles' first match in charge.
Scott Twine scored twice for the Robins alongside goals from Ross McCrorie and Anis Mehmeti.
Ryan Mason began his West Brom reign with a 1-0 win over Blackburn thanks to Isaac Price's early strike.
Millwall stunned promotion favourites Norwich 2-1 at Carrow Road through Macaulay Langstaff's late winner.
Dael Fry's rare goal gave Middlesbrough a 1-0 victory over Swansea in Rob Edwards' first game as manager.
Portsmouth edged Oxford 1-0 through Adrian Segecic's debut goal, while Stoke scored twice in stoppage time to beat Derby 3-1.
Birmingham City, part-owned by NFL legend Tom Brady, drew 1-1 with Ipswich after conceding a controversial late penalty.
The Championship's opening weekend also saw Coventry and Hull play out a goalless draw, with QPR and Preston sharing the points in a 1-1 stalemate. – AFP
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Soccer-Premier League CEO Masters pleads for patience in Man City case
Soccer-Premier League CEO Masters pleads for patience in Man City case

The Star

time2 hours ago

  • The Star

Soccer-Premier League CEO Masters pleads for patience in Man City case

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester City v Chelsea - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - May 21, 2023 Premier League chief executive Richard Masters stands next to the Premier League trophy before the presentation REUTERS/Carl Recine/File Photo (Reuters) -Premier League chief executive Richard Masters defended the league's judicial process on Wednesday amid criticism over the slow pace of Manchester City's disciplinary case involving 115 charges of alleged financial rule breaches. Speaking at a Premier League season launch event in Liverpool, Masters said that once charges are brought forward, the matter is handed over to an independent panel, which operates autonomously. "It's an independent judiciary essentially," Masters told Sky Sports. "They are then in charge of the process and its timings. They hear the case, they decide the outcome and we have no influence over it or its timing." Masters refrained from speculating on when a decision might be reached, but acknowledged the frustration surrounding lengthy legal processes. "My frustration is irrelevant really, I just have to wait. Legal processes rarely take less time than you anticipated. But we have to be patient," he said. Masters also addressed speculation around staging Premier League matches abroad, after LaLiga's plan for a game between Villarreal and Barcelona in Miami receivedapproval from the Spanish football federation (RFEF) on Monday. He said the controversial "Game 39" concept of an extra competitive match hosted outside of Britain remained off the table. "I think that (LaLiga)match that's been talked about, there's a long road to go yet about whether that will actually happen," Masters said. "It hasn't changed our view about matches abroad. We did look at the 39th game way back when with lots of controversy... Our objective at the time was how to grow the Premier League around the world. We've been able to do that through different means," he said. Masters also responded to concerns over the competitiveness of newly promoted clubs, after all three teams relegated last season - Leicester City, Ipswich Town and Southampton - had only just come up. The same thing happened in the 2023-24 campaign when Luton Town, Burnley and Sheffield United returned to the second-tier after only one season in the top-flight. Masters pointed to success stories like Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth and Fulham, who were promoted for the 2022-23 season and are "performingextremely well in the Premier League three years later". "It's never going to be easy... The Premier League is becoming more competitive. The Championship is a fantastic division. We want it to be successful. We want there to be an influx of different clubs coming in and out. So it's something we need to keep an eye on." Masters also confirmed that the newly established independent football regulator is expected to begin operations in October or November. "We are the first country, major football nation to be regulated in this way," he said. "The Premier League operates in a global environment. So naturally we have some concerns, but the main thing is that I think the regulator doesn't start from the position that football is somehow broken in this country... "All of the key indicators are really positive for the whole of the pyramid, for the England teams, men's and women's. So, I think there is lots to be really proud about and the regulator should really be intervening where absolutely necessary." The new Premier League season kicks off on Friday when defending champions Liverpool host Bournemouth. (Reporting by Lori Ewing in Manchester;Editing by Christian Radnedge)

Rashford criticises Man Utd's lack of strategy leaving club in no man's land
Rashford criticises Man Utd's lack of strategy leaving club in no man's land

The Sun

time2 hours ago

  • The Sun

Rashford criticises Man Utd's lack of strategy leaving club in no man's land

MARCUS Rashford has openly criticised Manchester United's lack of a clear strategy, claiming it has left the club in 'no man's land.' The 27-year-old forward, who recently joined Barcelona on loan, spoke about United's struggles in a candid interview. Rashford made 426 appearances for United after rising through their academy before leaving for Aston Villa on loan in January. United endured their worst season since 1973-74, finishing 15th in the Premier League and missing out on European football. The England international believes frequent managerial changes since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement in 2013 have destabilised the club. 'We have been way below where we deem United to be but then if you take a step back, which I've been able to do, especially over these last six months, what do you expect?' Rashford said. He compared United's situation to Liverpool's patience with Jürgen Klopp, which eventually led to success. 'To start a transition, you have to make a plan and stick to it,' Rashford explained. He argued that constant changes in management and strategy have left United directionless. United have failed to challenge for major trophies since Ferguson's departure, despite Rashford's individual success. The forward scored 138 goals for United, winning two FA Cups and two League Cups during his time at Old Trafford. Rashford highlighted the importance of maintaining a clear footballing philosophy, as seen under Ferguson. 'When Ferguson was in charge, not only were there principles for the first team but they were for the whole academy,' he said. He stressed that successful clubs maintain a consistent identity regardless of personnel changes. Rashford suggested United's recent approach has been too reactionary rather than strategic. His move to Barcelona includes a reported £30 million option to buy, likely ending his United career. - AFP

Man Utd are in 'no man's land' due to constant managerial churn, says Rashford
Man Utd are in 'no man's land' due to constant managerial churn, says Rashford

New Straits Times

time4 hours ago

  • New Straits Times

Man Utd are in 'no man's land' due to constant managerial churn, says Rashford

LONDON: Manchester United's exiled forward Marcus Rashford has delivered a scathing assessment of the Premier League side's struggles, saying the club remains stuck in "no man's land" due to constantly changing coaches with different philosophies. Rashford has not played for United since December after a fallout with coach Ruben Amorim, with the England international spending the second half of last season on loan at Aston Villa before joining Barcelona on another loan deal last month. The 27-year-old, once the lynchpin of United's attack, said the last few months away from the Old Trafford side have allowed him to "take a step back" and analyse why the club which finished a lowly 15th last season has been floundering. "People say that we've been in a transition for years but to be in a transition you have to start the transition. The actual transition hasn't started yet," Rashford said on 'The Rest is Football' podcast. "When Liverpool went through this, they got (Juergen) Klopp and they stuck with him. They didn't win in the beginning, people only remember his final few years when he was competing with (Manchester) City and winning the biggest trophies. "To start a transition, you have to make a plan and stick to it. This is where I speak about being realistic about what your situation is. We've had that many different managers, ideas and strategies in order to win that you end up in no man's land." United have not won the Premier League title since 2012-13, the last season of manager Alex Ferguson's career before he retired, while Liverpool have now equalled their tally of 20 league titles. United's managerial carousel since Ferguson's exit has included David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Erik ten Hag, with each bringing vastly different playing styles. "When Ferguson was in charge, not only were there principles for the first team but they were for the whole academy," Rashford said. "They'd all understand the principles of playing the Man United way. Any team that's been successful over a period of time, they have principles that mean that any coach or player that comes in has to align to or add to the principles." United have won several cups since their last league title, but Rashford attributed them to squad quality rather than systematic success. "At times, I feel like United were hungry to win so we'll always try to adapt and sign players that fit the system. But that was reactionary," Rashford added.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store