Celtic Park loss 'won't define' Falkirk season
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The Independent
24 minutes ago
- The Independent
Manchester City begin title quest with convincing win against Wolves
Erling Haaland and new signings Tijjani Reinders and Rayan Cherki combined as Manchester City thrashed Wolves 4-0 in their Premier League opener. Haaland struck twice either side of a fine effort from Reijnders, and substitute Cherki added a late fourth, as City began their quest for a seventh title in nine years in convincing fashion at Molineux. Reijnders also had a hand in both of Haaland's goals in what was a particularly impressive introduction to life in the English top flight. Whilst it may be premature to suggest City have found the ideal replacement for Kevin De Bruyne, it was a very promising showing from the Dutchman. His presence brought dynamism to a City side that also raised eyebrows in other areas. Most notably, goalkeeper James Trafford was handed a debut and Ederson – described as 'number one' by manager Pep Guardiola this week despite speculation over his future – was missing from the squad altogether. The club, however, later confirmed the Brazilian's absence was due to illness, with the 31-year-old suffering from gastroenteritis. John Stones returned in defence for his first appearance since February and another new recruit, Rayan Ait-Nouri, featured against the club he left in the summer. It was an emotional occasion for Wolves as they paid a series of tributes before and during the game to Diogo Jota, their former striker who died last month following a car accident. The visitors assumed control early on but did not create a clear-cut opening until the 19th minute when captain Bernardo Silva crossed for Haaland but the Norwegian, having to stretch too much, headed over. City had some moments of alarm as Wolves got behind the defence. Marshall Munetsi thought he scored when he headed past Trafford from a Matt Doherty cross but he was clearly offside. A chance also appeared to open up for Jean-Ricner Bellegarde but again the flag was raised. City took charge of the game after two moments of brilliance from Reijnders in the space of three minutes. The Netherlands international, whose outings at the Club World Cup may have helped him settle, played a delightful lob over the defence for Rico Lewis and his pull-back presented Haaland with a simple tap-in. Moments later the former AC Milan midfielder applied the finishing touch himself with a superb low strike across goal after Andre Gomes lost possession to Oscar Bobb. Jorgen Strand Larsen spurned a good chance to pull one back after the break when he side-footed narrowly wide and the same player also forced Trafford to palm over. Haaland increased City's lead just after the hour following more incisive work from Reijnders, who received a long ball from Trafford and exchanged passes with Bobb on the right. He continued his run and pulled back for Haaland to sweep home from the edge of the area. Cherki, having been on the field just eight minutes, added to Wolves' woes when he drove in from distance nine minutes from time after combining with Nico O'Reilly.
Scotsman
24 minutes ago
- Scotsman
Derek McInnes admits he ‘got the game the wrong way round' as Hearts exit cup
Hearts boss admits team selection was wrong Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Derek McInnes admitted he got his team selection wrong after Hearts' perfect start to the campaign was ended by a 5-4 penalty shootout defeat at St Mirren in the Premier Sports Cup. The Jambos had won each of their six outings this season but their momentum was halted – and their long wait for a first League Cup triumph since 1962 extended – as the Buddies prevailed in the shootout following a 1-1 draw in which Oisin McEntee's 78th-minute equaliser cancelled out Alex Gogic's first-half opener for the hosts. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Hearts substitute Claudio Braga was the only one of the 10 penalty takers who failed to score after his kick was saved by Shamal George. Hearts manager Derek McInnes issues instructions before extra-time during the Premier Sports Cup match against St Mirren at the SMiSA Stadium. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group) | SNS Group McInnes was heartened by the way his side rallied to get back in the game but admitted their lacklustre start was partly down to the fact he pitched in too many new players, with Tomas Bent Magnusson and Pierre Landry Kabore handed their first starts and Alexandros Kyziridis given his second start. All three summer signings were substituted for the start of the second half. 'I'm disappointed to exit the cup, congratulations to St Mirren, they've won a tight tie on penalties,' said manager McInnes. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I think the type of game it was in extra time, I'd love to have been bringing Kyziridis and Kabore on. Maybe we got the game the wrong way round a wee bit, and that's on me. 'Maybe we had just one too many of the new lads starting the game. That was a typical cup tie, away from home against a St Mirren team who were top six last season. 'Sometimes you've got to give players a run, but maybe we just fell short on that side and that's probably on me. 'But that's not the reason we lost the tie because we got ourselves in a good position. I just wanted us to hammer home that authority (after equalising) and a Hearts team should be able to do that going forward.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad St Mirren players celebrate their penalty shoot out win over Hearts in the Premier Sports Cup. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group) | SNS Group St Mirren boss Stephen Robinson was delighted with the fight his team showed to reach the last eight. 'In the first half we were outstanding,' he said. 'We played some fantastic football, we pressed the life out of them. And then second half, we didn't do the simple things well enough and Hearts dominated the ball. 'And the subs that Hearts are bringing on, with a lot of money invested in the squad, you're obviously going to have to defend and we've done that with some super performances.
Daily Record
24 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Motherwell boss hails side for keeping frustrations in check to sink St Johnstone in extra-time
The Steelmen needed a late Lukas Fadinger goal to edge into the quarter-finals of the Premier Sports Cup Jens Berthel Askou praised his Motherwell players for not letting frustrations get the better of them before edging past St Johnstone 1-0 to reach the Premier Sports Cup last 16. The Premiership side prevailed in Perth thanks to a goal in the second half of extra-time from Lukas Fadinger. The Austrian latched onto a clinical Elliot Watt pass to settle a terrific tie and Danish coach Askou is impressed by his team picking up his dynamic, possession-based style so quickly. They failed to turn dominance into goals in last week's stalemate at St Mirren, but they wore down the Championship leaders away from home and that is seven games without defeat since the start of a new campaign. Askou said: 'It seems natural to the players; they don't think too much about it anymore. 'They don't react emotionally when they're not successful or lose the ball. 'They just react instantly to win it back or block a shot. There are some emotions which are good to have. 'But some which might, with the style of play we try to implement, not be the most productive. 'Fear and frustration, for example. Anger too. If we want to play the way we want to play, we need optimism, positivity, resilience and bravery. 'Those are the emotions we try to instil in the players and push. Then there are some we try to tone down. 'It's about being more effective as a football team. It's been a while since we lost a game so there is a good feeling.' Askou admitted St Johnstone were a serious test for his side. 'You have to earn the right to win games and I think we invested a lot into it,' he said. 'So did St Johnstone and big praise to them, because they pushed us to the limit. 'We tried to drive the tempo from the start but they also had their moments. 'We had to defend really well at times but, with more sharpness in the final third, we might have decided the game in 90 minutes.' Saints boss Simo Valakari lamented two missed chances, saying: 'It wasn't an easy game – Motherwell kept the ball and tried to break us down. 'But our players gave everything – every little bit they had inside their body. And in some moments, we played very well. 'We had two of the clearest chances in the match – Jason Holt and Makenzie Kirk. 'When you face a Premiership team you need to take them (chances).'
