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Belfast Telegraph
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
NI confirm captain for Denmark friendly as Michael O'Neill continues to share armband
The 23-year-old captained his country for the first time against Luxembourg and Bulgaria in the Nations League last September as part of a committee approach since the retirement of Jonny Evans. O'Neill has also handed the armband to Conor Bradley, Shea Charles and Paddy McNair in recent windows, with Charles and now Hume the only two to have captained the side in multiple international windows. It caps a remarkable few weeks for Hume, who recently helped Sunderland earn promotion to the Premier League by beating Sheffield United in the Championship Play-Off Final at Wembley. The former Linfield and Ballymena United man has also been the subject of recent speculation over his future, with Everton and Wolves reportedly interested, as are several La Liga clubs. The defender has also emerged as a vital cog in O'Neill's squad as they bid to try and return to a major tournament, Hume having made 20 appearances for his country despite his young age.
The Irish Sun
25-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Nottingham Forest 0 Chelsea 1: Blues star who got Tricky Trees promoted ruins their Champions League dream
LEVI COLWILL netted a rare and lucrative goal which propelled Chelsea's billion-pound boys' club into the Champions League after a two-year absence. And for 5 Chelsea secured Champions League football with a narrow win over Nottingham Forest Credit: Getty 5 A 50th-minute goal from Levi Colwill secured the west Londoners a 1-0 win at the City Ground Credit: Getty 5 Enzo Maresca's troops will dine at the top table of European football next season Credit: PA It was the Huddersfield Town , which earned Forest promotion to the top flight in the Championship Play-Off Final of 2022. But early in the second half, the And Chelsea now head to Poland for Wednesday's Europa Conference League Final against Real Betis , knowing they are assured of a place back in the elite. This result ensured that Stamford Bridge and will allow Todd Boehly & Co to argue that their policy of bulk-buying young players on long contracts is beginning to bear fruit. After a tense match of few chances, Nuno Espirito Santo's men ended up in seventh place, which earns them a place in the Conference League next term. This season had promised far more from Forest, who were up in the top three of the Premier League for the majority of the campaign. But they have taken just one point from their final four home matches, which ultimately killed off their ambitions of playing in a higher echelon of European competition. For Chelsea, this was only a second Premier League away game since December. Most read in Football JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS 5 They were playing without a recognised centre-forward in their starting line-up - Pedro Neto operating as a 'false nine' in the absence of the suspended Nicolas Jackson . While Forest had looked nailed-on for the Champions League for much of the season, a return to European football had already been secured after a 30-year hiatus. Taiwo Awoniyi seen for first time since horror injury as he receives hero's welcome at Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea And a banner reading 'Destination: Europe' was unfurled on the Trent End. Before kick-off, Gary Neville - banned from the City Ground for criticising Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis - was being widely accused of indulging in one-in-a-bed romps. But on the pitch, it was deathly dull early on - neither side bearing any attacking teeth , with Forest wasteful from set-pieces. It took almost half an hour for a serious scoring opportunity to arise - England man centring for Neto to volley over. Almost immediately, Elliott Anderson responded for Forest with a dipping long-ranger which fell wide of the far post. Largely, though, it was anxious and fractious stop-start stuff - Chelsea's players doing an awful lot of falling over, with ref Anthony Taylor rarely responsive. There were penalty shouts from the Forest fans when Anthony Elanga went down after a tangle with Palmer, but Taylor and his VAR were not interested. 5 Levi Colwill scored an own goal in the 2021/22 play-off final against Nottingham Forest Credit: PA Just before half-time, Ola Aina swung in a cross from the right, Chris Wood arrived before keeper Robert Sanchez, but the Kiwi striker volleyed over. At the start of the second half, Chelsea were showing more intent, and within four minutes of the restart, they were ahead. A corner was partially cleared, but a Soon, Madueke's shot was scooped clear by Nuno sent on former Chelsea man Read more on the Irish Sun But Forest struggled to turn a spell of territorial advantage into goalscoring opportunities, although Wood had a close-range effort deflected over in injury time. And Chelsea were able to secure qualification for the Champions League in a relatively comfortable fashion.
Scottish Sun
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Nottingham Forest 0 Chelsea 1: Blues star who got Tricky Trees promoted ruins their Champions League dream
The west Londoners were in danger of missing out on Champions League football CRUEL GAME Nottingham Forest 0 Chelsea 1: Blues star who got Tricky Trees promoted ruins their Champions League dream Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LEVI COLWILL netted a rare and lucrative goal which propelled Chelsea's billion-pound boys' club into the Champions League after a two-year absence. And for Nottingham Forest, it was a case of what Colwill giveth, Colwill taketh away. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Chelsea secured Champions League football with a narrow win over Nottingham Forest Credit: Getty 5 A 50th-minute goal from Levi Colwill secured the west Londoners a 1-0 win at the City Ground Credit: Getty 5 Enzo Maresca's troops will dine at the top table of European football next season Credit: PA It was the Chelsea defender's own goal, while on loan at Huddersfield Town, which earned Forest promotion to the top flight in the Championship Play-Off Final of 2022. But early in the second half, the England man scored only the fifth goal of his career to settle this final-day shoot-out for a place at European football's top table. And Chelsea now head to Poland for Wednesday's Europa Conference League Final against Real Betis, knowing they are assured of a place back in the elite. This result ensured that Enzo Maresca will survive as head coach at Stamford Bridge and will allow Todd Boehly & Co to argue that their policy of bulk-buying young players on long contracts is beginning to bear fruit. After a tense match of few chances, Nuno Espirito Santo's men ended up in seventh place, which earns them a place in the Conference League next term. This season had promised far more from Forest, who were up in the top three of the Premier League for the majority of the campaign. But they have taken just one point from their final four home matches, which ultimately killed off their ambitions of playing in a higher echelon of European competition. For Chelsea, this was only a second Premier League away game since December. JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS 5 They were playing without a recognised centre-forward in their starting line-up - Pedro Neto operating as a 'false nine' in the absence of the suspended Nicolas Jackson. While Forest had looked nailed-on for the Champions League for much of the season, a return to European football had already been secured after a 30-year hiatus. Taiwo Awoniyi seen for first time since horror injury as he receives hero's welcome at Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea And a banner reading 'Destination: Europe' was unfurled on the Trent End. Before kick-off, Gary Neville - banned from the City Ground for criticising Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis - was being widely accused of indulging in one-in-a-bed romps. But on the pitch, it was deathly dull early on - neither side bearing any attacking teeth, with Forest wasteful from set-pieces. It took almost half an hour for a serious scoring opportunity to arise - Noni Madueke feeding Cole Palmer down the right and the England man centring for Neto to volley over. Almost immediately, Elliott Anderson responded for Forest with a dipping long-ranger which fell wide of the far post. Largely, though, it was anxious and fractious stop-start stuff - Chelsea's players doing an awful lot of falling over, with ref Anthony Taylor rarely responsive. There were penalty shouts from the Forest fans when Anthony Elanga went down after a tangle with Palmer, but Taylor and his VAR were not interested. 5 Levi Colwill scored an own goal in the 2021/22 play-off final against Nottingham Forest Credit: PA Just before half-time, Ola Aina swung in a cross from the right, Chris Wood arrived before keeper Robert Sanchez, but the Kiwi striker volleyed over. At the start of the second half, Chelsea were showing more intent, and within four minutes of the restart, they were ahead. A corner was partially cleared, but a Marc Cucurella ball over the top caught Forest flat-footed and Neto rolled across goal for Colwill to tap in at the back stick and celebrate in front of the travelling Blues fans. Soon, Madueke's shot was scooped clear by Matz Sels as Chelsea went in for a quick kill. Nuno sent on former Chelsea man Callum Hudson-Odoi and then Ryan Yates, after Nicolas Dominguez was forced to hobble after a heavy challenge from Madueke. But Forest struggled to turn a spell of territorial advantage into goalscoring opportunities, although Wood had a close-range effort deflected over in injury time. And Chelsea were able to secure qualification for the Champions League in a relatively comfortable fashion.
Belfast Telegraph
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Why Linfield could lose out on millions… thanks to Sunderland's promotion to the Premier League
Sunderland's stunning Wembley victory over Sheffield United is set to cost Linfield millions this summer with their former player Trai Hume now likely to stay with the Premier League bound Black Cats rather than make a big money move. Hume and Northern Ireland team-mate Daniel Ballard were key figures for the north east outfit as they came from behind to defeat the Blades 2-1 in Saturday's dramatic Championship Play-Off Final.
Belfast Telegraph
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
No Trai-day… why Linfield could be left to count the cost of Sunderland's promotion to the Premier League
Sunderland's stunning Wembley victory over Sheffield United is set to cost Linfield millions this summer with their former player Trai Hume now likely to stay with the Premier League bound Black Cats rather than make a big money move. Hume and Northern Ireland team-mate Daniel Ballard were key figures for the north east outfit as they came from behind to defeat the Blades 2-1 in Saturday's dramatic Championship Play-Off Final.
