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Tag: game highlights

  • Epic scenes as Mariners complete historic A-League fairytale in extra-time thriller

    Epic scenes as Mariners complete historic A-League fairytale in extra-time thriller

    The magical sporting story that is the Central Coast Mariners has delivered the ultimate final chapter with back-to-back A-League championship wins and a history making treble of trophies in season 2023/24 following an epic 3-1 extra time win over the Melbourne Victory in Gosford.

    Just when you thought the Central Coast fairytale had finally come to an end, English striker Ryan Edmonson delivered a superb normal time equaliser in the 91st minute to break Victory hearts, just minutes away from what would have been a record equalling fifth Australian football title for them.

    Ryan Edmondson celebrates scoring a goal. (Photo by Scott Gardiner/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

    His heroics were matched by that of Mariners youngster Miguel Di Pizio who struck early in the first half of extra-time, finishing off a move that he started himself.

    The 18-year-old drove forward from midfield and got on the end of a Ronald Barcellos cross to become the youngest scorer in A-League Grand Final history.

    As the Victory pushed forward in hope of an extra-time equaliser, Edmondson added his second to secure the Joe Marston Medal for best on ground and ultimately seal a treble winning feat that is simply hard to fathom for a club that was once the laughing stock of the competition.

    The match-winning moments sent a record breaking, sell-out crowd of 21,379 in Gosford into utter delirium as they celebrate a club that is now the jewel of the region as it continued to defy every obstacle possible over the last two years to become arguably the best single season team in A-League history.

    That emotion spilled over on the final whistle as the Mariners fans ran onto the field to celebrate with their heroes and manager Mark Jackson in spectacular scenes not seen before in an A-League Grand Final but one fitting of an Australian football feat that is simply unmatched.

    Instrumental in both Mariners goals was Socceroo midfielder Josh Nisbet, who may be diminutive in stature but is simply massive in heart and talent.

    Once the Mariners went behind, he drove his side on like no other to help set-up both goals and add a Championship Medal to his Johnny Warren Medal for best player of the season.

    The defeat for the Victory continues one of the more stunning droughts in Australian sport, that of manager Tony Popovic and his now five Grand Final losses across spells with Western Sydney, Perth and now Melbourne.

    His credentials as a manager are undoubted but it’s a heartbreaking hurdle that he simply cannot get past.

    It is one he and the Victory faithful thought he had finally evaded though after Jason Geria’s second half strike to put the Victory 1-nil up.

    The Mariners celebrate with Ryan Edmondson. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
    Danny Vukovic and Ryan Edmondson of the Central Coast Mariners celebrate Edmondson scoring a goal. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

    The 31-year-old Socceroo was set-up nicely by some tricky interplay from Daniel Arzani and Jordi Valadon who teed Geria up on the edge of the area to side-foot a stunning strike home into the top left-hand corner to send the several thousand travelling Victory fans into ecstasy.

    That only served to spark the Mariners out of their malaise and into history making action.

    With Nisbet and his midfield compadrade Max Balard at the heart of every foray forward they finally broke a resolute Victory defence late in normal time and seemingly driven on by an entire city, went on with it to deliver a second successive championship for the Central Coast Mariners, third trophy for the season and third title in their now glittering history.

    NISBET’S SEASON CRYSTALLISED

    There are few better on-field stories in Australian football than Josh Nisbet. The Mariners dynamo’s spectacular campaign was rewarded with a first Socceroos cap this year and now he has a Championship and Johnny Warren Medal – the highest individual honour in the domestic game – to go with it for the player of the season. The award was presented at full-time with Nisbet finishing on 36 votes, seven clear of Victory striker Bruno Fornaroli with Wellington star Kosta Barbarouses in third.

    VISCIOUS OPENING

    Bar a couple of Daniel Arzani long range strikes, and a Ryan Teague header, there weren’t a plethora of chances in the first half but the game, that the Victory had the better of early, was played at a cracking place with plenty of physicality. So much so, that a head clash between Victory defender Damien Da Silva and Mariners striker Alou Kuol left both players bloodied and needing head strapping. With his bleached blonde hair, Kuol cut a true retro figure but the knock took enough out of him for him to be substituted at half-time.

    GLORIOUS GOSFORD

    The A-League may have its myriad of issues at present but the finals series yet again has shown the support is certainly there. There were sold out finals the whole way through and the Grand Final arena, adjacent to the Gosford water, presented a stunning scene. Three thousand travelling Victory fans added plenty to a sold out stadium while every surrounding pub and restaurant was adorned with Mariners colours and will now be in celebration mode for weeks and possibly months to come.

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  • Heartbreak for Pacers after big missed opportunity as Celtics win overtime thriller in Game 1

    Heartbreak for Pacers after big missed opportunity as Celtics win overtime thriller in Game 1

    The Boston Celtics have survived a big scare in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference Finals series, winning 133-128 in an overtime thriller against the Indiana Pacers.

    It was a heartbreaking result for the Pacers, who fought back from an early 12-0 deficit and were just one possession away from likely taking the game and homecourt advantage.

    Instead, the Pacers will need to put Wednesday’s result behind and regroup ahead of Game 2 on Friday.

    All five of Indiana’s starters finished on double figures with Tyrese Haliburton recording 25 points and 10 assists while Pascal Siakam had 24 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists.

    On the other side of the floor, Celtics star duo Jayson Tatum (36 points, 12 rebounds) and Jaylen Brown (26 points, seven rebounds) combined for 62 poinbts while Jrue Holiday had 28 points to go with seven rebounds and eight assists.

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    The Celtics finished the first quarter up 34-31, having initially led 12-0 after the Pacers shot 0-for-5 from the floor early before rallying on the back of crucial bench production, with Obi Toppin (11 points) particularly efficient.

    Boston, meanwhile, had Tatum and Brown combined for 18 points in the first quarter.

    It was a different story in the second as the pair put up seven points between them while Myles Turner had 12 points and two assists in the quarter to continue inspiring a Pacers fightback.

    A deep 3-pointer from Haliburton with 2.2 seconds left on the clock tied the game at 64-all heading into halftime.

    By that point both teams were shooting over 50 per cent from the field, with Indiana sitting at 58.7 per cent while also going 53.3 per cent from downtown.

    Haliburton opened the third quarter by scoring the first five points to put the Pacers ahead before the Celtics quickly responded with a 6-0 run of their own to re-gain the lead.

    Boston was then able to push it out to 92-81 with just over two minutes left in the period and Indiana at risk of slipping away after doing so well to get back in the game in the first place.

    But as they had all night, the Pacers battled back with nine straight points and ended the quarter on a flurry as a T.J. McConnell jumper and Haliburton 3-pointer closed the margin to 94-93.

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    The game hung in the balance right until the very end of regulation, with the Pacers leading 117-114 until a costly turnover from Andrew Nembhard gifted the Celtics one final possession to tie it up.

    They did just that as Brown drained a clutch 3-pointer that sent the game to overtime and it ended up being a sign of what was to come as turnovers proved Indiana’s undoing.

    The Pacers led 123-121 with just over 90 seconds left in overtime but quickly found themselves trailing 127-123 after a Haliburton turnover led to a Tatum 3-pointer.

    Indiana called a timeout at that point but turned the ball over on the ensuing possession and gave up a layup to Derrick White that put Boston ahead 129-123 with 25 seconds left.

    It was a matter of playing the foul game from that point as the Celtics held on.

    Pacers coach Rick Carlisle later admitted in his post-game press conference that he should have taken a timeout in the final 10 seconds to advance the ball.

    “This loss it totally on me,” he said.

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  • ‘Egregious’ call as traded superstar explodes; LeBron’s big warning as Lakers seal narrow win: Wrap

    ‘Egregious’ call as traded superstar explodes; LeBron’s big warning as Lakers seal narrow win: Wrap

    NBA superstar guard Damian Lillard made a spectacular debut with the Milwaukee Bucks, scoring 39 points on Friday to spark a 118-117 home victory over Philadelphia.

    The 33-year-old American, obtained in a trade last month from Portland, had the highest-scoring debut in Bucks history in the season opener for both clubs.

    Lillard made 9-of-20 shots from the floor, including 4-of-12 from 3-point range, and sank all 17 of his free throws while adding eight rebounds and four assists as Milwaukee fans roared with delight.

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    Luka magic ruins Wemby’s first game | 02:08

    Seven-time All-Star guard Lillard scored 14 points in the final four minutes to deliver the Bucks over a stubborn Sixers team that battled to the final second.

    Giannis Antetokounmpo had 23 points and a game-high 13 rebounds for the Bucks, combining well in his first contest with Lillard as an inside-outside dual threat.

    Tyrese Maxey scored 31 points, Kelly Oubre added 27 off the bench and reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Joel Embiid had 24 points for the Sixers, who were without star guard James Harden, left off the travel squad over fitness concerns.

    Two-time NBA MVP Antetokounmpo, who signed a three-year contract extension worth $186 million with the Bucks on Monday, combined with Lillard on early baskets, a positive sign for their ability to unite.

    Oubre sank a jumper, a 3-pointer and a dunk in a 14-0 run that lifted the Sixers ahead 102-94 with 6:47 to play.

    Lillard hit a 3-pointer and added a 3-point play for nine points in a 19-2 run for a 113-104 Bucks lead.

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    The Sixers answered with a 7-0 run but Lillard sank a dramatic 3-pointer over Oubre and added two clutch free throws with 11.1 seconds remaining.

    De’Anthony Melton’s 3-pointer at the buzzer only trimmed the final margin of defeat for the Sixers.

    Lillard scored 21 points in the first half, making his first basket for the Bucks on a jump shot with 3:57 elapsed. He netted 17 in the second quarter as Milwaukee pulled to a 63-54 halftime lead.

    There was one contentious moment in the final quarter where Giannis Antetokounmpo appeared to pass to himself on an airball, later kicking it out to Lillard for a 3-pointer.

    Harden didn’t play in the pre-season for Philadelphia. Last season’s NBA assists leader has missed practices for what the team called personal reasons.

    His absence could be a violation of the NBA’s new participation policy, adopted to ensure top players were more available for games televised nationally.

    LAKERS STAR INSPIRES NARROW VICTORY AS DUO’S ABSENCE PROVES LETHAL FOR SUNS

    In the night’s only other NBA game, Anthony Davis scored 30 points and grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds while LeBron James contributed 21 points, nine assists and eight rebounds in a 100-95 Los Angeles Lakers triumph over visiting Phoenix.

    “We can play better but we’re also a team that’s still trying to come together,” James said. “We’ve got a lot of room for improvement. Today was a good step in the right direction but we’ve got to be better.”

    NBA all-time scoring leader James and Suns star Kevin Durant, who had a game-high 39 points, played against each other for the first time in a regular-season game since Christmas Day 2018 and hugged after the contest.

    “We don’t take them moments for granted. We don’t have many left,” James said.

    “We try to embrace it, have fun with it, enjoy it. Two of the best to ever play this game. It’s always a treat to be on the floor with one of the greats.”

    Durant passed Hakeem Olajuwon for 12th on the NBA’s all-time scoring list and sparked the Suns, who were without injured stars Devin Booker and Bradley Beal.

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  • Fan’s idiotic act as Liverpool close in on knockout rounds; Rangers hit new low: Europa League Wrap

    Fan’s idiotic act as Liverpool close in on knockout rounds; Rangers hit new low: Europa League Wrap

    Liverpool closed in on the Europa League knockout rounds with a 2-0 win over Union Saint-Gilloise on Friday [AEDT], while Brighton fought back to secure their first European point in a thrilling 2-2 draw at Marseille.

    West Ham’s 2-1 at Freiburg saw them set a new record unbeaten streak for an English team in Europe, while Romelu Lukaku was among the scorers in Roma’s 4-0 win over Servette.

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    Hammers make history with17-game streak | 00:44

    Jurgen Klopp named a strong side at Anfield with the Reds keen to make sure of top spot in Group E and progress directly to the last 16.

    Saint-Gilloise goalkeeper Anthony Moris had been in inspired form to deny Mohamed Salah early on, but his fumble from Trent Alexander-Arnold’s effort left Ryan Gravernberch with a tap-in for his first Liverpool goal on the stroke of half-time.

    Klopp sent on Alexis Mac Allister at half-time as he came up against his brother Kevin, who started for the Belgians.

    “Today my dad was here but I am sure everybody in our family was watching the TV, so it was special,” said Alexis Mac Allister.

    “I guess he (his dad) cried a little bit.”

    Liverpool were made to wait until stoppage time to secure the points as Diogo Jota burst clear on goal and produced a cool finish.

    There was an unfortunate moment earlier in the game though, with Moris having to deal with having a green laser shone in his face in the lead-up to a corner.

    The Reds travel to Brighton in the Premier League on Sunday and the Seagulls may well be fatigued after their efforts to snatch a point in southern France.

    Marseille have struggled so far this season but went 2-0 up thanks to two goals in two minutes midway through the first half.

    Chancel Mbemba swept the French side into the lead before a slip from Brighton captain Lewis Dunk allowed Jordan Veretout to make it 2-0.

    Brighton seemed destined for a third consecutive defeat in all competitions, but the momentum swung when Pascal Gross was picked out by Kaoru Mitoma to halve the arrears.

    Joao Pedro then levelled from the penalty spot after Tariq Lamptey had been upended inside the box two minutes from time to leave Brighton just one point adrift of Marseille and Ajax in Group B.

    “I think we are not playing well, it’s a very tough period for us in this moment,” said Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi.

    “To close the first half at 2-0, this reaction is incredible. For it I am very happy.”

    AEK are the surprise leaders of the section on four points after coming from behind to draw 1-1 with Ajax.

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    West Ham are well on course for the last 16 after stretching their unbeaten run in Europe to 17 games.

    “It’s a brilliant achievement, I’ve said to the boys we need to keep it going,” said Hammers boss David Moyes.

    “Winning the game tonight was most important.”

    Lucas Paqueta put the Europa Conference League winners in front after just eight minutes with a towering header.

    Roland Sallai levelled for Freiburg early in the second-half. But the Hammers were not to be denied as Nayef Aguerd headed home James Ward-Prowse’s corner.

    European competitions have also been Roma’s strong point under Jose Mourinho and the Italians put their poor Serie A form to one side against Servette.

    Lukaku opened the scoring before an Andrea Belotti brace either side of Lorenzo Pellegrini’s strike made it two wins from two for Roma in Group G.

    Southgate takes aim at VAR | 01:10

    Rangers did not get any reaction from the sacking of Michael Beale as the Glasgow giants slumped to an embarrassing 2-1 defeat to Aris Limassol.

    Former Gers midfielder Steven Davis took temporary charge but could only oversee Aris registering their first ever European group stage victory.

    Alex Moucketou-Moussounda and Shavy Babicka scored on a famous night for the Cypriots as Abdallah Sima’s header proved nothing more than a consolation for Rangers.

    All four sides in Group C are now on three points after Real Betis bounced back from their 1-0 defeat by Rangers with a 2-1 win over Sparta Prague.

    In the Europa Conference League, Aston Villa left it very late to see off Bosnian champions Zrinjski Mostar 1-0 as John McGinn headed in a 94th-minute winner.

    Villa badly needed the win after a 3-2 defeat at Legia Warsaw two weeks ago.

    “It’s huge because of how we started the group,” said McGinn.

    “Tonight was a must win.”

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  • PL icon’s big Ange call as ‘inspired’ $79m signing stuns, Spurs soar to top of table

    PL icon’s big Ange call as ‘inspired’ $79m signing stuns, Spurs soar to top of table

    Tottenham’s bright start under Ange Postecoglou continued as James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski struck in a 2-0 win at Bournemouth to go top of the Premier League on Saturday.

    Postecoglou’s men have so far shrugged off the departure of the club’s all-time record goalscorer Harry Kane to Bayern Munich with new signing Maddison at the heart of most of their good work.

    The England international’s first Tottenham goal on 17 minutes was just reward for the visitor’s dominance of the first half.

    But Bournemouth looked the more likely to score in the second period before Kulusevski steered Destiny Udogie’s cross into the far corner just after the hour mark.

    Tottenham are soaring. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP)Source: AFP

    Maddison had been a doubt after leaving the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after last weekend’s 2-0 win over Manchester United in a protective boot.

    But the £40 million ($A79 million) signing from Leicester was passed fit and is already appearing a bargain as he thrives in Postecoglou’s system.

    However, he was fortunate for his goal as scuffed finish from Pape Sarr’s defence-splitting pass did enough to wrong-foot Neto in the Bournemouth goal.

    As Maddison shines, Richarlison is struggling to fill the boots of Kane. The Brazilian striker had another frustrating afternoon before being replaced after an hour.

    Richarlison should have doubled Tottenham’s advantage before the break when he tried to cut inside when clean through, allowing Lloyd Kelly to get just enough of a touch with a last-ditch tackle to divert the ball to safety.

    Spurs could have paid for their failure to put the game to bed as Bournemouth started brightly after the break.

    Antoine Semenyo came closest to an equaliser with a curling effort from outside the box that hit the side-netting.

    Ange Postecoglou celebrates. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

    Instead it was Tottenham who got the all-important second goal thanks to another fresh face making a strong start to the new season.

    Udogie was signed last summer when Italian coach Antonio Conte and sporting director Fabio Paratici were at the club but was then loaned back to Udinese for the 2022/23 season.

    The left-back could turn out to be one of the few positive legacies of the Conte and Paratici era for Spurs.

    Udogie surged forward, exchanging a one-two with Son Heung-min, before pulling the ball back for Kulusevski to finish.

    Victory takes Spurs a point clear of Arsenal, Brighton and Manchester City at the top of the table, having played one game more.

    Ange sends stern message to Spurs | 00:48

    “In a very short space of time, he has changed something at Spurs,” Peter Schmeichel said on Optus Sport.

    Arsenal can move back above their north London rivals when they host Fulham later looking to maintain their 100 percent start to the new season.

    Manchester United are also in action at Old Trafford as they seek a response to a sluggish start to the season.

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  • Haaland’s cheeky gesture as Arsenal beat Man City on penalties to win Community Shield in $310m statement

    Haaland’s cheeky gesture as Arsenal beat Man City on penalties to win Community Shield in $310m statement

    Arsenal lifted the Community Shield to end Manchester City’s silverware streak with a 4-1 penalty shoot-out victory after a 1-1 draw against the treble winners.

    Mikel Arteta’s side forced the shoot-out thanks to Leandro Trossard’s heavily deflected equaliser 11 minutes into stoppage time after Cole Palmer’s superb curler put City ahead late in the second half at Wembley.

    Kevin De Bruyne hit the bar with City’s first spot-kick and Rodri’s effort was saved by Aaron Ramsdale before Fabio Vieira converted the decisive kick in the annual curtain-raiser to the Premier League season.

    Arsenal’s celebrations were far more frenzied than would normally be seen in what in the glamour friendly, but their jubilation underlined the months of anguish endured since they blew a golden opportunity to win their first title since 2004.

    Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber of Arsenal pose for a photo with the FA Community Shield. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
    Martin Odegaard and Mikel Arteta hold the FA Community Shield. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
    Eddie Nketiah (C) and teammates celebrate. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP)Source: AFP

    “It feels great. It doesn’t get much better than winning a trophy at Wembley against the best team in the world,” Arteta said.

    “We are here to win trophies for this club. Seeing so many happy and proud people is great.” City boss Pep Guardiola added: “We are disappointed. We would love to win today. Manchester City is a good team but sometimes you lose.

    “In the end we could not do it, their penalty takers were better than us.”

    City made history by becoming only the second English club to lift the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup in a single season last term.

    Their fifth Premier League title in six seasons came at Arsenal’s expense as the Gunners wasted the eight-point lead they held at the start of April to finish five points behind the champions.

    Showcasing £160 million ($A310m) worth of new signings in Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber, it was clear Arsenal had a point to prove to City as they snapped into tackles with the kind of urgency that usually accompanies a title decider.

    Declan Rice celebrates after Arsenal win the penalty shoot-out . (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP)Source: AFP

    While Arteta and his players cavorted around the pitch and soaked up the raucous celebrations from their fans, they might wish to note that the Community Shield winners have gone on to secure the Premier League title just once since 2011.

    Arsenal led the table for 248 days last season and still fell short, prompting Arteta to admit they will need an “unheard of” points total to stop the champions, who are aiming for an unprecedented fourth successive title.

    Arteta will have been encouraged by a composed display from England midfielder Rice following his £105 million ($A204m) move from West Ham.

    Timber, another new recruit, was also solid at left-back but Havertz was typically profligate as he wasted Arsenal’s two best chances to take the lead.

    Aaron Ramsdale celebrates having won the penalty shoot out ahead of a dejected Rodri. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

    Havertz will be expected to lead the Arsenal attack while Gabriel Jesus recovers from knee surgery and this was hardly the ideal introduction to his new club for the inconsistent German.

    Mateo Kovacic was energetic on his City debut after the midfielder’s move from Chelsea, but fellow Croatian Josko Gvardiol was unavailable following the defender’s arrival from Leipzig on Saturday.

    Palmer was the anonymous Erling Haaland’s second half replacement and the promising youngster netted in the 77th minute.

    Haaland was booed by Arsenal fans as he left the field but sent a clear message to them, holding up three fingers in reference to City’s treble.

    City broke at pace and when Kieran Tierney lost the ball carelessly, De Bruyne’s header found Palmer and he curled a sublime finish into the far corner from the edge of the area.

    But in a sign of things to come under the new time-wasting rules, there was a huge amount of stoppage time and Arsenal snatched the equaliser 11 minutes into the additional period.

    It was a hugely fortunate goal as Trossard cut in from the right and hit his shot straight at Manuel Akanji, only for the ball to deflect off the City defender past the wrong-footed Stefan Ortega.

    Arteta celebrated as though Arsenal had won the league and the Spaniard let his emotions hang out again when Vieira converted the winning penalty to light the fuse on the looming title race.

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