Sports

Elanga Wonder-goal Condemns Man Utd To Another PL Defeat

Published

1 year ago

April 1, 2025

Nottingham Forest moved a step closer to qualifying for the Champions League as Anthony Elanga’s superb solo goal sealed a 1-0 win against Manchester United on Tuesday.

Elanga returned to haunt his former club with a dazzling effort that took the winger over half the length of the pitch before he delivered a clinical finish.

The 22-year-old Swede was sold by United for £15 million ($19 million) in 2023 after being deemed surplus to requirements by then manager Erik ten Hag.

Forest have been the beneficiaries of that mistake and Elanga’s stunning strike at the City Ground helped Nuno Espirito Santo’s side cement their grip on third place.

Sitting eight points clear of fourth-placed Chelsea, who face Tottenham on Thursday, with eight games left, Forest are within touching distance of reaching the Champions League for the first time since 1980-81.

Just a year after battling to narrowly avoid relegation, Forest are enjoying an unexpected fairytale season that also includes progressing to the FA Cup semi-finals for the first time in 34 years.

Although his players were drained by Saturday’s FA Cup quarter-final at Brighton, which they won on penalties after extra-time, Nuno said Forest would adopt a “no excuses” policy against United.

Despite the absences of leading scorer Chris Wood and winger Callum Hudson-Odoi, Forest rose to Nuno’s challenge.

Forest have completed their first league double over United since 1991-92.

The last time they avoided defeat against the Old Trafford club twice in the league in a single season was 1994-95, when they finished third.

It was a first defeat in eight games in all competitions for United, who still haven’t won successive league matches this term.

United won at Leicester in their last game before the international break — their second consecutive victory after beating Real Sociedad 4-1 in the Europa League.

But they reverted to the spluttering form that has frustrated Ruben Amorim since his arrival in November, leaving them languishing in 13th place ahead of Sunday’s clash with Manchester City.

– Dream season –

In a raucous atmosphere by the banks of the River Trent, Elanga raised the decibel level even louder with his memorable strike in the fifth minute.

When United failed to make the most of a corner, Elanga seized possession deep inside his own half and launched a blistering break, covering 85 metres in just nine seconds.

With United’s under-manned defence fatally backing off too long, Elanga shrugged off Alejandro Garnacho’s tackle, advanced to the edge of the area and drilled a fine low finish past Andre Onana.

Only lowly Leicester have conceded the opening goal more often than United among Premier League sides this season.

Amorim’s men almost mounted an immediate response through Bruno Fernandes, but his header from Diogo Dalot’s pin-point cross was straight at Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels.

Casemiro wasted an even better chance to equalise when the Brazilian headed wide from Fernandes’ corner.

Dalot was inches away from hauling United level, the defender meeting a corner with a looping header that hit the bar and fell to Matthijs de Ligt, whose attempt from the rebound was saved by Sels.

Amorim sent on Rasmus Hojlund at half-time, but the much-maligned striker did little to improve United’s cutting edge.

Garnacho carried more menace, curling just over from long range and then smashing a 25-yard blast past the post.

On his first United appearance in 2025, injury-plagued Mason Mount fired narrowly wide before Harry Maguire’s close-range effort was cleared off the line by Murillo as Forest celebrated another memorable moment in their dream season.

AFP

Sports

CAF Introduces New Laws After Chaotic AFCON Final In Morocco

Published

12 hours ago

May 14, 2026

Editor

President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Patrice Motsepe, has revealed that the continental football body introduced new laws and regulations following the controversial conclusion of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final in Morocco.

The final, played on January 18, descended into chaos after Senegal’s national team walked off the pitch in protest when Morocco were awarded a penalty following a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review in stoppage time with the match still goalless.

Senegal were initially crowned champions before the result was later overturned, with the match declared forfeited in favour of hosts Morocco. The delayed ruling sparked widespread criticism, with many questioning why the decision was not taken immediately during the game.

Speaking to BBC Sport Africa on Wednesday, Motsepe admitted that shortcomings in officiating and match management contributed to the controversy.

“We’ve done good work in terms of building the confidence and the trust amongst the football community of our referees and of our VAR,” Motsepe said.

“But there are still these challenges and we’ve recognized what the deficiencies were that led to the unfortunate incidents we had in Morocco.”

According to the CAF president, new regulations have now been implemented to prevent a repeat of such incidents in future continental competitions.

Motsepe stated that the measures introduced “will ensure that doesn’t happen again.”

He further disclosed that visits to both Senegal and Morocco formed part of CAF’s efforts to rebuild trust and confidence following the disputed final.

“We are waiting for the judgement of the Court of Arbitration for Sport and African football is continuing to grow and develop,” he said.

“Whatever decision comes, we will respect and implement.”

Motsepe also defended CAF’s decision to appoint Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala to officiate a major continental club final despite the controversy surrounding his handling of the AFCON final.

“After the final in Morocco, the chairman of the referees committee came to the executive committee, and they gave a thorough report of his performance and assessed how he refereed the match in accordance with global best refereeing practices,” Motsepe added.

Sports

FULL LIST: Top 10 Goalkeepers With The Most Clean Sheets In Europe’s Top Five Leagues

Published

12 hours ago

May 14, 2026

Editor

A new statistical ranking across Europe’s top five leagues has revealed the goalkeepers with the most clean sheets in the 2025-26 season, with David Raya leading the standings.

This article covers performances across the Premier League, La Liga, Ligue 1, Serie A and Bundesliga. Goalkeepers tied on the same number of clean sheets are ranked by goals conceded.

Here are top 10 goalkeepers with the most clean sheets in Europe’s top five leagues

1. David Raya – 18 clean sheets

The Arsenal shot-stopper has played a crucial role in the club’s defensive solidity this season, producing several important saves as he edges closer to the Premier League Golden Glove award.

2. Jean Butez – 18 clean sheets

The Como goalkeeper has matched Raya’s tally and has been central to the Italian side’s impressive defensive organisation under Cesc Fàbregas.

3. Mile Svilar – 16 clean sheets

Roma’s goalkeeper has continued his rise with a string of consistent performances as the club battles for European qualification.

4. Yann Sommer – 15 clean sheets

The experienced Swiss international has delivered key performances for Inter during their successful Serie A title campaign.

5. Joan García – 15 clean sheets

Barcelona’s new first-choice goalkeeper has impressed since taking over from Marc-André ter Stegen between the sticks.

6. Gianluigi Donnarumma – 15 clean sheets

The Italian international has continued to show his quality with several commanding performances throughout the campaign.

7. Mike Maignan – 14 clean sheets

AC Milan’s French goalkeeper remains one of Europe’s most dependable shot-stoppers, maintaining his strong form in Serie A.

8. Michele Di Gregorio – 14 clean sheets

The Juventus goalkeeper has been a reliable figure for the Turin side, helping maintain defensive consistency throughout the season.

9. Gregor Kobel – 14 clean sheets

The Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper leads Bundesliga representation on the list and continues to strengthen his reputation as one of Europe’s elite keepers.

10. Berke Özer – 13 clean sheets

The Lille goalkeeper rounds off the top 10 after an impressive campaign in Ligue 1, contributing significantly to the club’s defensive record.

With the season still ongoing, the race for the highest number of clean sheets remains open, although Raya currently leads the standings.