
Super Kev praises 'threat' Mayenda before second leg
Sunderland legend Kevin Phillips has praised Eliezer Mayenda ahead of the Black Cats' play-off semi-final second leg against Coventry.Regis Le Bris' side host the Sky Blues at the Stadium of Light on Tuesday with a 2-1 advantage from the first leg. 'Super Kev', who scored 130 goals for the Black Cats in six seasons, told BBC Radio Newcastle: "I thought it was outstanding, coming off the back of all the negativity, five defeats, leading into what is a huge, huge campaign in terms of the two games."For them to be able to brush that aside and come to the CBS against a team that is bang in form, really good side, and to put a performance in like that, I was so impressed. "I thought every player to a man stood up to be counted. Everyone brought their A-game and I thought the tactics that Regis Le Bris brought to the game that night was spot on. It's a credit to everyone involved and for me it's more about the players because we all know they're a young squad. "They're the youngest squad in the league. They could have quite easily folded but they showed on the night a lot of maturity and put in a hell of a performance. They're going to need that again."Sunderland finished the regular Championship season out of form, going six games without a win and failing to score a single goal in the final four. Le Bris surprised many by naming two recognised strikers in the starting line-up for the first leg, Wilson Isidor and Eliezer Mayenda vindicating their boss's decision by each netting at the CBS Arena. Phillips added: "Between the pair of them they haven't scored a lot of goals lately. On nights like that you want players like that to step up and they both did. "Isidor took his chance. For me, probably the keeper should have done a little bit better but if you don't shoot, you don't have the opportunity to score the goal, and he gets his goal. "Mayenda obviously preys on a mistake from a defender and slots really calmly. He's given them a fantastic opportunity of going through in the tie. I'm delighted to see those boys back on the scoresheet and we're going to need that again."The 20-year-old Spaniard Mayenda seems to have impressed Phillips most. "Isidor only touched the ball eight times in the first half, I think he probably only doubled that in the second half. So to get his goal would have done the world of confidence. I thought Mayenda was a threat all night. He's got pace. He's a handful."You can listen to more from Kevin Phillips on BBC Sounds.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Independent
15 minutes ago
- The Independent
Palace co-owner John Textor would sell shares for Europa League chance
Crystal Palace co-owner John Textor is willing to sell his shares in the club in order to ensure the Eagles can enter next season's Europa League, according to reports. The American, whose Eagle Football Group owns 43 per cent of Palace, has imperilled the club's chance of a first-ever European campaign owing to his involvement with Ligue 1 side Lyon, but is ready to offload his stake to his fellow co-owners in order to bring the saga to an end. UEFA does not allow clubs with the same ownership to compete in the same European competitions in a season. As well as his stake in Palace, the 59-year-old has a controlling stake in the French club, also via Eagle Football. However it is also reported that the European governing body does not consider Textor's influence at Selhurst Park to be decisive and is leaning towards allowing the club into the Europa League regardless. The PA news agency understands no formal decision is likely on Palace's fate until the end of June. Textor has previously spoken of his frustration at how little influence his stake entitles him to, over football matters. Victory for Oliver Glasner's side over Manchester City in last month's FA Cup final gave them their first major trophy and with it a first crack at Europe. However, Nottingham Forest have since written to UEFA to challenge Palace's Europa League spot and in the hope of taking their place. Forest's owner Evangelos Marinakis, who also owns Greek side Olympiacos, placed his shares in the club in a blind trust before the governing body's March 1 deadline, anticipating Nuno Espirito Santo's side's European qualification. At present Forest, who finished seventh in last season's Premier League, are set to enter the Conference League but would take Palace's Europa League place, should they be deemed ineligible.


BreakingNews.ie
26 minutes ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Marseille reach ‘agreement in principle' to sign England midfielder Angel Gomes
Angel Gomes is set to join Marseille after the Ligue 1 club announced they had reached an 'agreement in principle' to sign the England midfielder. The former Manchester United youngster is set to become a free agent when his contract with another French side in Lille expires at the end of this month. Advertisement The 24-year-old could also be joined by Burnley's CJ Egan-Riley at the Stade Velodrome after the Clarets confirmed the defender had rejected the offer of a new deal at Turf Moor. 𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗹 𝗚𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 🤝 Olympique de Marseille announces that it has reached an agreement in principle with Angel Gomes regarding the arrival of the English international midfielder at the club. 🏴 — Olympique de Marseille 🇬🇧 🇺🇸 (@OM_English) June 11, 2025 Gomes joined Lille five years ago after failing to establish himself as a first-team regular at Old Trafford. His performances have since earned him four England caps. He had been linked with West Ham and Tottenham but has opted for Marseille, where he will link up with another former United player in Mason Greenwood. Advertisement A statement from Marseille read: 'Olympique de Marseille announces that it has reached an agreement in principle with Angel Gomes regarding the arrival of the English international midfielder at the club.' Egan-Riley, who is a graduate of Manchester City's youth programme, impressed as Burnley secured promotion back to the Premier League last season but was also out of contract this summer. The Lancashire side were keen for the 22-year-old to stay but have accepted he wishes to move on. Egan-Riley also looks to be heading to France (Mike Egerton/PA) They confirmed the centre-back's departure in a statement which referred to him joining an unnamed Ligue 1 club. It has been widely claimed that is Marseille. Advertisement The statement added: 'Burnley Football Club can confirm that it has been informed by the representatives of CJ Egan-Riley that the England U21 international defender has now formally rejected the club's offer of a significant long-term contract with the club. 'Despite the club's commitment to securing CJ's long-term future and the substantial investment offered, CJ has made the decision to pursue an opportunity in France.'


The Sun
33 minutes ago
- The Sun
Liverpool target PSG star Barcola after Wirtz with transfer spending to top £300MILLION – and haven't ruled out Isak
LIVERPOOL are set to swoop for Paris Saint-Germain star Bradley Barcola — pushing their summer spending over £300MILLION. The Premier League champs intend to spend big on another attacker even after they complete a British-transfer record £127million deal for Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz. 5 5 And they are prepared to battle Bayern Munich for £100m-rated winger Barcola, 22. Liverpool have also not given up all hope of prising Alexander Isak away from Newcastle. Kop chiefs would still love 23-goal Isak to lead their new-look frontline. But if the Toon insist on a fee of around £150m for the 25-year-old Sweden international, Liverpool will bow out and look for an alternative. And Barcola has emerged as a spectacular Plan B after doubts emerged over his future with Champions League winners PSG. The Anfield giants have already spent £29.5m on Wirtz's Leverkusen team-mate, defender Jeremie Frimpong, 24, with another £40m-plus earmarked for Bournemouth's 21-year-old left-back Milos Kerkez. But it is the prospect of Barcola teaming up with Wirtz, 22, and Anfield icon Mo Salah, 32, which will have fans pinching themselves. Barcola, who is Bayern's No 1 target, is no longer part of PSG's first-choice front three. JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS 5 He found himself on the bench again for last month's Champions League final against Inter Milan, coming on in the 67th minute and teeing up Senny Mayulu for the last goal in the 5-0 thrashing. Bayern have made no secret of their intention to test PSG's resolve to keep Barcola, who they signed from Lyon for £38m in 2023. Liverpool will look to raise funds by offloading erratic forward Darwin Nunez, 25, and will also consider offers for 28-year-old pair Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota. 5