Soccer-Cunha dismantles Leicester in sixth successive win for Wolves
WOLVERHAMPTON, England (Reuters) -Wolverhampton Wanderers extended their remarkable winning run to six Premier League games as Matheus Cunha scored one goal and set up two others in a comfortable 3-0 win over already-relegated Leicester City at Molineux on Saturday.
Wolves' superb form has propelled them away from the relegation zone and up to 13th with 41 points from 34 games, while Leicester are second from bottom with 18 points.
Cunha's side-footed finish after 33 minutes gave the hosts a deserved lead, before Jorgen Strand Larsen and Rodrigo Gomes added almost identical goals in the second half, both put on a plate by the brilliant Brazilian.
Leicester's Jamie Vardy missed a penalty - in the week the former England striker announced he was leaving the club at the end of the campaign after 13 seasons - as the hapless visitors slipped to a 17th loss in their last 19 league matches.
Leicester looked like a team defeated before kick-off, with little energy and verve, and were picked apart by the hosts.
Defender Wout Faes' goal-line clearance denied Wolves' Rayan Ait-Nouri, who met Nelson Semedo's cross at the back post.
But the home side went ahead when Ait-Nouri was afforded acres of space on the left wing and his low cross was turned into the net from close range by Cunha, who steered the ball between the legs of Leicester defender Conor Coady.
Strand Larsen's blushes for firing over from point-blank range were saved by the offside flag, but he did double the home side's advantage in the 55th.
Bilal El Khannouss missed a good chance for Leicester at the other end and, as Wolves broke upfield, Cunha played a delightful pass to split the visitors' centre-backs and allowed Strand Larsen to score his 13th league goal of the season.
Leicester were given a lifeline with a penalty when goalkeeper Jose Sa was adjudged to have brought down Vardy, who made sure there was contact as he leant into the challenge.
But Sa will feel justice was done as he saved Vardy's spot-kick, diving low to his right to deny the striker a 199th Leicester goal.
The third for the home side after 85 minutes was almost identical to the second as Cunha picked up the ball on the left from a break and slipped a pass between the Leicester defenders for Gomes to rifle low into the bottom corner.
(Reporting by Nick Said; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne and Ken Ferris)
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
25 minutes ago
- The Star
Rugby-Crusaders edge Blues in arm-wrestle to reach Super Rugby Pacific final
(Reuters) -Will Jordan scored two tries as the Canterbury Crusaders recovered from an early deficit to edge the reigning champion Auckland Blues 21-14 in an intense clash at Christchurch Stadium on Friday and reach a 17th Super Rugby final. The Blues hammered away at the home try line for more than six minutes after the hooter looking for a converted try to force overtime but came away empty-handed as the Crusaders' defence held firm and kept them on track for a 13th title. A try from Tom Christie set the Crusaders on their way as they fought back from 14-0 down in the 21st minute to guarantee a return to their home fortress next week to face the Waikato Chiefs or ACT Brumbies. Neither the Chiefs nor Brumbies, who meet in the second semi-final on Saturday, will relish a trip to Christchurch, where the Crusaders are now unbeaten in 31 playoff matches over the three decades of Super Rugby. The Blues made it clear that they would be looking to play an expansive game from the third minute when Beauden Barrett fired a crosskick over to Caleb Clarke on the left wing. The Crusaders snuffed out the danger that time but the visitors soon silenced the crowd when a raking AJ Ram kick resulted in a five-metre scrum and winger Mark Tele'a dived over in the corner for the opening try. The home side were reduced to 14 men when Braydon Ennor was yellow carded for a dangerous tackle and centre Rieko Ioane went over under the posts to double the lead with a second try for the Blues. The Crusaders cut the deficit soon after being returned to a full complement when openside flanker Christie forced his way over from close range after series of his teammates had been repelled. Blues prop Joshua Fusitu'a was sent to the sin bin for a high tackle on All Blacks captain Scott Barrett three minutes later and the crowd was back to full voice just before the break when Jordan crossed for a converted try to level up the scores. The Blues spurned a straightfoward shot at goal from a 51st minute penalty before knocking on from the tap and being pinged by the referee at the resultant scrum. The Crusaders then laid siege to the Blues line, turning down several potential shots at goal in favour of kicks to touch before Jordan played tight forward to finally force the ball over the line with 10 minutes left on the clock. Flyhalf Rivez Reihana slotted his third conversion to take the lead out to 21-14 and the visitors' woes deepened when number eight Hoskins Sotutu was sent to the sin bin minutes later. (Reporting by Nick Mulvenney, editing by Peter Rutherford)
New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
Kim Swee set to leave Persis Solo for rival Persik Kediri
KUALA LUMPUR: Former national coach Datuk Ong Kim Swee is expected to leave Indonesian Liga 1 side Persis Solo and take charge of rivals Persik Kediri next season. In a reflective Instagram post, Kim Swee appeared to bid farewell to Persis, sharing a photo with his squad and writing. "Let's cherish the atmosphere and give our very best out there, and support one another as we always have. No matter what happens, the memories and bonds we've created will last a lifetime." The 55-year-old's likely exit comes just months after he helped steer Persis to safety, with the club finishing 14th out of 18 teams in the top flight. Persis secured 36 points from 34 matches, avoiding relegation in what had been a difficult campaign. While the club have yet to officially confirm his departure, Kim Swee has removed Persis Solo from his Instagram bio, fuelling speculation. Reports in Indonesia suggest Persik Kediri, who parted ways with Brazilian coach Marcelo Rospide on May 27, have already made contact. Persik are also reportedly considering Divaldo Alves for the role. Persis media officer Bryan Barcelona said decisions on the head coach position are being handled directly by the club's owners. "For the head coach, we're still waiting for a decision from the owners because negotiations and interviews are being handled by them directly," he said. While Kim Swee's stint in Liga 1 has flown under the radar, Bojan Hodak, the former Kelantan and Johor Darul Ta'zim boss, has drawn plaudits, having led Persib Bandung to back-to-back league titles.
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
Chelsea's Club World Cup Fixtures & Squad Preview 2025
AFTER securing their return to the Champions League on the final day of the season, Chelsea have an early chance to show they belong back among the elite this summer at the Club World Cup. Enzo Maresca's side beat Nottingham Forest in their last Premier League match to clinch fourth place after an inconsistent campaign, ending a two-season absence from Europe's top competition. The Blues, who reached FIFA's revamped and expanded event by landing a second Champions League triumph in 2021, have been handed a favourable opening raft of fixtures in the United States. Chelsea begin their Club World Cup campaign in Group D against Los Angeles FC, who battled through a play-off round against Club America to replace the disqualified Club Leon. After that opening fixture in Atlanta on Monday, Chelsea head north to face Brazilian team Flamengo and Tunisia's Esperance, both in Philadelphia. Los Angeles boast former Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud, although the 38-year-old is not a regular starter. Flamengo, who qualified by lifting the Copa Libertadores in 2022, are coached by well-regarded former Chelsea and Atletico Madrid defender Filipe Luis. Esperance have won eight of the last nine Tunisian league titles but are considered the weakest team in the group. In the knock-out rounds tantalising potential clashes against Bayern Munich and Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain may lie ahead. Chelsea won the competition in its previous format in 2022, beating Brazil's Palmeiras in the final. There will be special interest in how new Chelsea signing Liam Delap fares after his recent move from relegated Ipswich. The Blues beat Manchester United among other clubs in the race for the 22-year-old striker who netted 12 times in 37 top-flight matches and moved for £30 million ($41 million). Chelsea lacked firepower up front this season with Nicolas Jackson inconsistent and Christopher Nkunku struggling badly for form. Palmer introduction Delap, the son of former Stoke midfielder Rory Delap, came through the Manchester City youth academy like Chelsea's star player, Cole Palmer. The England international's revival towards the end of the season is a positive sign, with Palmer dazzling in the Conference League final win over Real Betis. The 23-year-old missed Chelsea's pre-season tour of the US last summer and Maresca said it was a chance for the playmaker to take the country by storm. 'Palmer is up there with the very best top players who can produce something at any moment, create something out of nothing,' said the coach. 'He wasn't with me on the USA tour last summer, so it will also be a chance for him to experience the environment there and to introduce himself to North America.' Beating Betis in Poland earned Maresca his first trophy as Chelsea manager and a deep run in the United States would be another sign that the Blues are heading in the right direction. On an upwards trajectory and with a young squad, Chelsea have plenty of potential to improve in the years to come. '(Critics) were saying that we were not able to win... because we're too young, because we're not experienced,' said Maresca after sealing fourth place in the Premier League. 'Unfortunately for them, they have all been wrong.' Summer success is also important to the club's co-owners, US businessman Todd Boehly and private equity firm Clearlake Capital, with nearly £100 million on the line for the winners. While not among the set of top favourites, including English rivals Manchester City, 15-time European champions Real Madrid and PSG, Chelsea are still expected to reach the last eight. With fans not fully sold on Maresca's brand of possession football, and even Palmer saying he was 'sick' of the ball going from side to side in the Conference League final, another trophy could help soothe any building tension in south-west London.
