Daily Mirror - 13 May 2024

DM1ST mirror.co.uk/sport MONDAY 13.05.2024 DAILY MIRROR 51 PREMIER LEAGUE FROM OLD TRAFFORD IN THEIR STEP winner takes them back to the top of Prem pile End of an error for Casemiro SO it turns out Roy Keane was right after all. The former Manchester United skipper said he would play anyone at centre-back – even a youth player – other than Casemiro. The Brazilian midfielder was the fall guy for United’s humiliating 4-0 defeat at Crystal Palace last Monday when he was deployed at centreback due to Erik ten Hag’s chronic lack of personnel. He fulfilled that role again at Old Trafford yesterday, playing Kai Havertz onside after 21 minutes for Arsenal’s matchwinning goal, one that condemned United to a 14th Premier League defeat this season. It was the kind of mistake expected of a rookie youngster, not a seasoned pro with 584 club appearances and five Champions League titles to his name. After Casemiro’s horror show at Palace, only Ten Hag knows why he opted to start him at the back again, with Willy Kambwala on the bench. What is certain is that Kambwala, 19, would not have sauntered forward so casually in the build-up to Arsenal’s goal, Casemiro’s indolence allowing them to score and sending Keane into another rant. “Casemiro has to sprint out,” said Keane (inset). “I’m not saying sprinting like 100 metres but you have to get up the pitch. Just move your feet quicker. “He has to look across and think ‘we’re in trouble here.’ Just stay up the pitch. What you have to do is get the basics right and they’ve not done the basics right. Again, an experienced player, he’s got to get up the pitch.” Casemiro, United’s highest-paid player on £350,000 a week, has two years left on that lucrative contract but it is fanciful to think he will remain at Old Trafford next season. Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his team want value for money on the pitch and, at 32 and £18.2million a year in wages, Casemiro is definitely not that. In fact, he represents the kind of signing Ratcliffe and his newly installed team are determined to eradicate; big names on exorbitant wages whose best days are well behind them. United will recoup a chunk of the £70m they paid Real Madrid for Casemiro (top), with the Saudi Pro League likely to provide him with one last mega payday in his glittering career. But as his performance at Selhurst Park and this catastrophic display proved, Casemiro has no place in the new era being built at United. MONDAY 13.05.2024  BY DAVID McDONNELL @DiscoMirror BY Arsenal, which was just about the best thing you could say. Ar s e n a l s t a r t e d brilliantly and looked in the mood. Ben White played the ball forward, Casemiro just jogged out of defence, which played Kai Havertz onside and his low cross was put in by Trossard from pointblank range. Doesn’t that say it all about Casemiro? After his horror show at Palace, he let his team down again. But Arsenal’s dominance never quite came. In fact, they were s l o p p y a n d , a s Ar t e t a acknowledged, they did not stick to the game plan and invited United on to them. Garnacho skewed horribly high and wide from United’s best opening. He smashed another into the side netting. Arsenal’s best chance of a second goal came from Gabriel Martinelli, as his shot was tipped over by Onana. But it was a poor, edgy and nervous game lacking in quality. But at least Arsenal got over the line. For Ten Hag, it was another defeat. The direction of the two clubs could not be more different. at Old Trafford. And this victory will only give Arteta’s men the belief that they will be ready if City do slip up. United have lost 19 games in all competitions this season. But they dug deep to restore some pride even if Ten Hag looks like a dead man walking. S o f y a n Am ra b a t battled hard. Alejandro G a r n a c h o w a s dangerous down the left. Keeper Andre Onana did well again and his tough early days seem a distant memory. It was still one of the worst United l i n e - u p s s o m e regular observers can remember. But they made it difficult for What a signing he has been. Trossard cost just £21million in January 2023 and has been a revelation this season. You thought Trossard’s 20thminute opener would open the floodgates. But that did not happen until the rain started in the dying minutes and then there was a real storm which flooded the pitch after the final whistle. It was in keeping with the dark clouds surrounding Erik ten Hag but, after the 4-0 thrashing at Crystal Palace on Monday night, the United boss did at least see a reaction from his players. Incredibly, United were 7/1 to win with some bookmakers while Arsenal were 1/4 odds-on to win. The margin was never that big. But in the titlewinning seasons of 1998 and 2002, Arsenal won Crystal Palace last Monday when he was deployed at centreback due to Erik ten Hag’s chronic role again at Old Trafford yesterday, playing Kai Havertz onside after 21 minutes THAT’S MY KAI Trossard celebrates his winner with Havertz best thing you could say. Ar s e n a l s t a r t e d brilliantly and looked in the mood. Ben White played the ball forward, Casemiro just jogged out of defence, which played Kai Havertz onside and his low cross was put in by Trossard from pointblank range. Doesn’t that say it will only give Arteta’s men the belief that they will be ready if United have lost 19 games in all competitions this season. But they dug deep to restore some pride even if Ten Hag looks like a dead man walking. S o f y a n Am ra b a t battled hard. Alejandro G a r n a c h o w a s dangerous down the left. Keeper Andre Onana did well again and his tough early days seem a distant It was still one of the worst United l i n e - u p s s o m e regular observers can remember. But they made it difficult for

DOWN TO THE WIRE! Trossard’s strike ensures title race will be decided on final weekend Published by MGN Ltd at One Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London, E14 5AP (020-7293 3000) and printed by Reach Printing Services Ltd. at Watford, Oldham, Teesside, Birmingham and Glasgow Registered as a newspaper at the Post Office Serial No. 38,037 Serial No. 33,xxx ©MGN Ltd Monday May 13, 2024 Portugal €2.95 (cont), Spain €2.95, Italy €2.20, Greece €2.50, Malta €2.50 (inc VAT), Turkey: YTL 10.00, Cyprus €2.40, Egypt EGP. 12.00 SO CLOSE Skipper McGinn BY NEIL MOXLEY JOHN McGINN has told Aston Villa’s squad: “We owe it to ourselves to reach the Champions League.” Villa’s skipper admits that finding the three points necessary to cement a top-four berth is a tall order with Liverpool and in-form Crystal Palace rounding off a hard campaign. Unai Emery’s (below) men crashed out of the Europa Conference League as their injury-hit squad failed to overcome Olympiakos in the semi-finals. Hopes had been high that the Villans – favourites for the competition – could end their 28-year wait for a major trophy. But now attention turns to finishing off a fine season in style. McGinn said: “We are so close. But we just have to focus on Liverpool. I think we owe the supporters a performance. “And we owe ourselves a performance after the effort throughout the season, the graft every single day coming in. “It has been a long, hard season – but certainly one to be proud of. But we don’t want to stop short. We McGinn’s last push four Villa TURN TO PAGE 47 AFTER 366 GAMES AND 276 DAYS, IT’S... mirror.co.uk/sport INSIDE: YOUR No.1 FOOTBALL ASTON VILLA v LIVERPOOL: PAGE 47 PULLOUT NEWSPAPERS SUPPORT RECYCLING Recycled paper made up 65.1% of the raw material for UK newspapers in 2002 NEWSPAPERS SUPPORT RECYCLING The recycled paper content of UK newspapers in 2023 was 45.5% League as their injury-hit squad Hopes had Leandro Trossard’s goal set up a final day Premier League title decider TROSS OF A COIN BY ANDY DUNN MIKEL ARTETA hailed his Arsenal team as “phenomenal” as they made sure the Premier League title race would go down to the final day of the season. Leandro Trossard’s first-half strike gave the Gunners a win at Old Trafford and now they need Manchester City to slip up at Tottenham tomorrow for the destiny of the title to be in their hands. Kai Havertz, who set up the only goal TURN TO PAGE 50 ASTON VILLA LIVERPOOL: PAGE 47 KLOPP: MY ONE & ONLY REGRET .1 FOOTBALL PULLOUT Manchester United 0 Arsenal 1

mirror.co.uk DM1ST MONDAY 13.05.2024 DAILY MIRROR 1 ACROSS 1 Bores about not being drunk (5) 4 Simple computer language (5) 7 Pickpocket acrobat during embrace (3) 9 Decorated or terribly neat (6) 11 Ticket price sounds reasonable (4) 12 Draw boat (3) 13 Reporters accept old wife has skill (7) 15 The ram’s upset pet (7) 18 Caught sailor in lorry compartment (3) 19 One’s oddest feature (4) 20 Time and motion list (6) 23 One writer’s novel (3) 24 Loner forced to sign up (5) 25 Indifferent to pressure in new diet (5) DOWN 1 Swindle makes brief adjustment (5-6) 2 Are back for long time (3) 3 Rubbish in grotto (3) 5 Form new heaps (5) 6 Dairy panel provides platter for brie? (11) 8 Tolerate animal (4) 10 Go on at horse (3) 13 Turn up on time at place (3) 14 Alternatively get a paddle (3) 16 Commiserated, hugging mean person (5) 17 Melanie has style (4) 18 Tin from Tuscany (3) 21 Procure from strange tradesman (3) 22 Fewer around animal (3) Quizword & Crossword Quizword Crossword Cryptic clues Two sets of clues, two different answers – all on the same grid. Choose one or the other. Two sets of clues – but the answers are the same. Two-speed coffeebreak 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 ACROSS 1 Eric —, Scotland-born folk singer-songwriter whose works include And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda (5) 4 and 10 2009 film drama starring Jeff Bridges and Maggie Gyllenhaal (5,5) 10 See 4 Across 11 and 21 Down Cook Islands rugby league forward at Wakefield Trinity from 2016-22 (7,5) 12 2003 film drama starring Holly Hunter and Evan Rachel Wood (8) 13 Thomas —, US actor who starred as David Drayton in 2007 horror film The Mist (4) 15 Claudio —, principal conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra appointed in 1979 (6) 17 The —, 1779 stage play by R B Sheridan (6) 19 Peter —, 17th-century painter whose works include Girl with a Parrot and Two Ladies of the Lake Family (4) 20 Robert —, Australian ballet dancer who played the Child Catcher in 1968 family film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (8) 23 and 25 Stairway in Rome leading up to the church of the Santissima Trinita dei Monti (7,5) 24 Colourless gas formed by an electric discharge in water (5) 25 See 23 Across 26 Thomas —, English author of 1675 stage play Alcibiades (5) DOWN 2 Masashi —, Japanese golfer; 1972 New Zealand PGA Championship winner (5) 3 Angular distance in degrees north or south of the equator (8) 5 J Arthur —, British entrepreneur who co-founded Pinewood Studios (4) 6 Mountaineering and ski resort in Valais, Switzerland at the foot of the Matterhorn (7) 7 2007 novel by Catherine O’Flynn (4,3,4) 8 Bill —, England Test cricketer who hit 123 against Pakistan at Lord’s in 1987 (5) 9 2000 novel by J G Ballard (5-6) 14 Eurasian plant of the rose family with clusters of small creamy white flowers (8) 16 Capital of Northern Ireland (7) 18 Anne —, actress who played Marion Crane in 1998 film thriller Psycho (5) 21 See 11 Across 22 Collective noun for a group of snipe (4) ACROSS 1 Cavalry sword (5) 4 Recently harvested (5) 10 Parlance (5) 11 Row of houses in a block (7) 12 Salve (8) 13 Slay (4) 15 One of two (6) 17 Mix socially or informally (6) 19 Mosque prayer leader (4) 20 Inborn intuitive power (8) 23 School sport (7) 24 Of sound or hearing (5) 25 Large container for packing goods (5) 26 Tempest (5) DOWN 2 Of bees (5) 3 Recall (8) 5 Uncommon (4) 6 Bus or railway terminal (7) 7 Refusing to follow orders (11) 8 Endure (5) 9 Navel (11) 14 Degree of difference (8) 16 Farm vehicle (7) 18 Male relative (5) 21 Lowest point (5) 22 Stop (4) Solutions in tomorrow’s Daily Mirror Solutions in tomorrow’s Daily Mirror Solutions in tomorrow’s Daily Mirror The name game Hidden in the grid is the name of a snooker player. Answer the questions, then rearrange the letters corresponding to your answers to fill in the name.  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10 Solutions in tomorrow’s Daily Mirror CHECK THE SOLUTIONS NOW! TWO-SPEED COFFEEBREAK 0903 659 6060 (80p/min) TERMS & CONDITIONS: Calls cost 80p/min plus your phone company’s access charge. Texts cost £1 + 1 standard network rate message. SP Mi Telecom Ltd. Helpdesk 0330 880 6060. Min age 18+. All lines close midnight tonight except where stated. Std Trinity Mirror Rules apply, see www.mirror.co.uk/rules. CHECK THE SOLUTIONS NOW! Call 0903 659 6060 (80p/min) to hear FULL SOLUTIONS to CROSSWORD and QUIZWORD, and to hear 5 EXTRA CLUES for CROSSWORD and QUIZWORD too! Or text CROSSCLUE or QUIZCLUE to 61011 (£1/text) for 5 clues. PUZZLES £75 to be won! DM1ST Take a break and get your brain in gear 7 Square it +35 25% of this -16 ×9 +32 4/7 of this BEGINNER 296 INTERMEDIATE 644 ADVANCED ANSWER ANSWER ANSWER +38 +46 4/9 of this +188 75% of this -86 Take the square root +169 3/7 of this 6/7 of this -88 5/8 of this +45 Increase by 60% Reverse the digits -251 7/12 of this Boost your brain power with our 30-second test. Start with the number on the left and follow the instructions. Beginners should aim to complete the puzzle in 30 seconds. Intermediates should finish their own puzzle and the Beginner’s Challenge. Genius players have 30 seconds to complete their own plus the Intermediate. Good luck! Solutions in tomorrow’s Daily Mirror 30-sec brain teaser Solve our ten-letter anagram B L I T H E P A S T Mirrorgram Solutions in tomorrow’s Daily Mirror BOX1: To which famous Ryan is the actress Blake Lively married? Ryan Seacrest (S) Ryan Gosling (M) Ryan Reynolds (E) BOX2: Brasstown Bald is the highest natural point in which US state? Georgia (A) New York (V) California (W) BOX3: Who played The Barefoot Contessa? Ava Gardner (S) Mia Farrow (G) Sandie Shaw (K) BOX4: Which of these is a term for an unofficial or ad hoc vote? Grain poll (W) Hay poll (Z) Straw poll (D) BOX5: Who voiced Jessica Rabbit in the 1988 film Who Framed Roger Rabbit? Kathleen Turner (E) Madonna (C) Kirstie Alley (T) BOX6: Choo-Choo was a friend of which cartoon character? Top Cat (T) Deputy Dawg (G) Fred Flintstone (J) BOX7: Who plays God in Evan Almighty? Morgan Freeman (V) Jim Carrey (W) James Earl Jones (Z) BOX8: Who played airman and radio personality Adrian Cronauer in the 1987 film Good Morning, Vietnam? Robin Williams (S) Nicolas Cage (W) Tom Cruise (Y) BOX9: Which actor launched his own range of salad dressings? Robert Redford (L) Paul Newman (I) Clint Vinaigrette (Z) BOX10: Julia Fox (pictured) rose to fame as Adam Sandler’s co-star in which 2019 crime film? The Informer (Q) Uncut Gems (V) 21 Bridges (T) ACROSS 1 Rational (5) 4 Fundamental (5) 7 Thieve (3) 9 Embellished (6) 11 Paying passenger (4) 12 Yank (3) 13 Impressive skill (7) 15 Rodent (7) 18 Taxi (3) 19 Pry (4) 20 Schedule (6) 23 Up-to-date (3) 24 Enlist (5) 25 Lukewarm (5) DOWN 1 Treat unfairly (5-6) 2 Age (3) 3 Decay (3) 5 Figure (5) 6 Dairy selection (11) 8 Ursine mammal (4) 10 Scold (3) 13 Place (3) 14 Scull (3) 16 Skinflint (5) 17 Dash (4) 18 Is able to (3) 21 Obtain (3) 22 Female sheep (3) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Quick clues Solutions in tomorrow’s Daily Mirror

DM1ST 2 DAILY MIRROR MONDAY 13.05.2024 PUZZLES Which one of our three definitions is correct? DORMIENT 1 Type of poultry 2 Stout, figured linen 3 Sleeping Just a bit of fun Solutions in tomorrow’s Daily Mirror Scribble pad ✍ PUZZLES MONDAY 13.05.2024 Speedbreaker 2 18 20 14 19 15 5 20 10 7 17 3 10 20 8 24 6 17 20 25 4 14 18 2 16 17 10 25 13 26 14 5 1 24 14 15 2 16 2 8 14 12 25 23 15 8 24 10 14 11 20 10 21 21 17 3 11 20 23 8 2 3 17 3 21 7 14 19 12 26 6 14 12 13 10 9 8 2 17 22 9 14 14 4 H 20 O 14 B 5 17 10 3 8 3 26 22 22 24 5 2 19 15 20 20 10 3 26 14 16 ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ Test your codecracking skills against us! We took 15 minutes and 30 seconds to complete this puzzle — can you do better? We’ve taken a completed crossword puzzle and replaced each letter in the grid with the same number throughout. The completed grid will include all letters of the alphabet. If you find it hard to get going, call the Extra Letter line where you will also find a little bit of extra help. Remember, none of the answers are proper nouns. Solutions in Wednesday’s Daily Mirror Target time: 15:30 mins 1 2 3 4 B 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 O 14 15 16 17 18 19 H 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 SOLUTIONS Call 0903 659 6060 (80p/min) for 5 extra letters or the full solution, or text SPEEDCLUE to 61011 (£1/ text) for 5 extra letters. Deduct one minute from the target time for each extra letter used. Calls to solutions line cost 80p/min + network access charge and texts cost £1 + 1 standard network rate message. Calls to the Speedbreaker competition line cost £2/call + network access charge and texts cost £2 + 1 standard network rate message. You may receive free promotional messages, to opt out end message with NO INFO. Competition lines close midnight tonight. Min age 18+. SP: MI Telecom Ltd. Helpdesk 0330 880 6060. Full T&C’s at www.mirror.co.uk/rules. £75 to be won! Which letter is represented by the number ‘1’ in today’s Speedbreaker? Call 0903 681 3000 (£2/call) or text SPEED and your answer, name and postcode to 61011 (£2/text) Last Monday’s winner: Margaret Farren, Cumbria Wordsearch Can you find all the listed Cornish places in the grid? Solutions in tomorrow’s Daily Mirror W A D E B R I D G E T T B E Q S E V I T S A E C L Q W F F I H T F K T J L Z L L U Q V A K V V R O E Y D R A E K S I L L C X V U A G N V A T D H B M T K A R H R X S A A S E A O O C O A M B Y O N A Y U P Y D U Q T B J B B U D E L A G H M T H R K Y I O C X O N T R E I H T T N I O P R O T E S A L N K U W P V Q L E N A W R T S Y W R V Q O F S K Z E Q F D T H X D C N O T S E C N U A L O C S E E C N A Z N E P A N V N E A R Z T K J C Y H S Y S V Z Z W C BODMIN BUDE CAMBORNE FALMOUTH HAYLE HELSTON LAUNCESTON LISKEARD LOOE NEWQUAY PENZANCE REDRUTH SALTASH ST AUSTELL ST IVES TORPOINT TRURO WADEBRIDGE Niner Each number from 1 to 9 represents a different letter. Solve the clues and insert the letters in the appropriate squares to discover a word which uses all nine letters. 433579 gives a sweet food 674589 gives a preserved food 69123 gives a sauce 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Arrow Words are like crosswords, but the clues are printed inside squares on the grid. Write your answers in the blank squares in the direction indicated by the arrows. Solutions in tomorrow’s Daily Mirror Arrow Word Moderately hot Boy's title Eyelid swelling Wrinkle or furrow Father Continent Not dry Slumbers Terrible Single-cell organism Lubricant Sea duck On the _, for sale Top of the milk On _, punctual Strengthen On strike _ jump or _ lift Senior Common Room (abbr.) Headwear item Ale Parallel _ are used in gymnastics TV series, Cash In The _ Domesticate Container Night before Hot molten rock Which person Cylinder Social insect Remain Disagreeable or unpleasant Large mammal Unwell The D in AD US state Esteem Towards Spirit made from sugar cane TV's _ Wiedersehen, Pet Excessively proud Make the _, succeed Attempt Walking poles Farmyard bird Saves from ruin On-target earnings (abbr.) Newt U2 singer, pictured Ballet skirt Soft felt hats Send away Large book Written statement made on oath Strongly built Fastener _ Blyton, author For fear that _ Morgan, pictured September (abbr.) Beach grains Gaelic From _, at a great distance Unit of electrical resistance Edition Frozen water Arrives (abbr.) Unfortunately Donkey Tears violently TV series, _: Rogue Heroes (abbr.) Colourant ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

mirror.co.uk MONDAY 13.05.2024 DAILY MIRROR 3 DM1ST Su-doku corner The rules for Su-doku couldn’t be easier. All you have to do is fill the empty squares so that each row, column and 3x3 block contains all the numbers 1 to 9. Solutions in tomorrow’s Daily Mirror The rules for Su-doku are easy, but this one’s a toughie! Each number from 1 to 9 must appear only once in each horizontal and vertical line, and only once in each 3x3 grid. Solutions in tomorrow’s Daily Mirror Killer Su-doku is based on the traditional grid and every column, every row and every 3x3 box must contain the digits 1 to 9. But the dotted squares must be filled with numbers that add up to that in the left corner. Solutions in tomorrow’s Daily Mirror CHECK THE SOLUTIONS NOW! Call 0903 659 6060(80p/min) to hearSU-DOKU 5 NUMBER CLUES or FULL SOLUTIONS to the easy and toughie su-dokus. Or text EASYCLUE or TOUGHCLUE to 61011 (£1/text) for 5 clues. Easy su-doku Su-doku toughie Killer su-doku FUTOSHIKI Insert the numbers one to five in each row and each column, making sure that no number is repeated. The only symbols to guide you are the “greater than” (>) and “less than” (<) signs. Solutions in tomorrow’s Daily Mirror 8 9 4 2 3 7 4 5 7 3 9 4 2 3 5 8 9 7 4 2 1 6 3 5 1 7 5 7 3 7 8 2 9 2 1 9 1 7 8 9 6 2 9 4 8 7 3 5 1 4 9 1 3 5 3 2 6 5 1 7 5 8 13 15 22 5 9 21 20 3 8 13 13 9 8 18 3 17 3 13 11 6 16 5 11 9 16 13 6 21 14 13 8 13 13 17 49 48 78 60 17 76 21 67 33 83 46 74 Mon May 13 2024 Game 18 Day 1 HERE are the numbers forDay 1of Game 18on your Bingo card. TO WIN a full house £100 prize, all 15 numbers on the Game 18 grid must be correctly crossed off with the Daily Mirror numbers. If you’re still short, buy the Sunday Mirror and the Sunday People for more numbers and another chance to win a £100 prize. TO CLAIM call 01420 525501 from 10am to 3pm on Mondays only. No responsibility is accepted for failure to claim in the stated hours. Calls charged at national rate. Standard Reach PLC rules apply, see mirror.co.uk/2024bingorules. Full terms as previously published. Brickwork Bingo Enter the solutions to the clues in their numbered layers of the wall. Each word must be an anagram of its neighbours, plus or minus one letter. 1 Anger 2 Awful 3 Weary 4 Attribute 5 Apple drink 6 Travel aboard 7 Expire Solutions in tomorrow’s Daily Mirror 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Word Ladder Highly uncommon Uncovered Foundation Strike hard Shrub RACE RUSH Using the clues provided, fill in each step of the ladder with a new word, changing one letter at a time. Solutions in tomorrow’s Daily Mirror saturday’s solutions FILL IN S O F T L Y B A K E S P I C E V E E E I P L B E L T T A H I N I A L G A E R A O G B I M G I N G E R L Y B A C K H O E R U V D B B E U M O U S S E E B O N Y L U R K W N R L S I I N A N I T Y S T R A T E G I C I U S T S N M O U N T A I N O U S S T O C K R T L O N S L L E T H A L O L D C O L O U R G Y Z O H A D V A L V E R E I N T E R P R E T N E I E D E Z O O L O G I S T Q U I L T E D O N P T L A B A L D O B E S E I N J U R E S R B W M N E T R E M O U L D E P I G R A P H P M E E O L W S T E E P S C A R A B O B O E I E H A U U R A C O R N C O O L S E S A M E KAKURO 7 1 7 1 5 3 7 4 2 1 1 9 8 9 4 2 4 8 7 9 5 3 1 3 2 4 1 3 3 7 8 9 2 6 2 5 3 8 1 4 2 1 2 3 KILLER SU-DOKU 9 2 7 6 4 5 1 8 3 8 5 6 1 9 3 2 7 4 1 3 4 7 8 2 9 6 5 6 9 3 4 1 7 5 2 8 2 1 5 8 3 6 4 9 7 4 7 8 5 2 9 3 1 6 5 8 9 3 6 1 7 4 2 7 4 2 9 5 8 6 3 1 3 6 1 2 7 4 8 5 9 EASY SU-DOKU 7 6 9 5 1 2 8 3 4 3 4 6 7 2 9 5 8 1 9 1 8 4 3 5 2 6 7 2 8 5 1 3 4 6 9 7 5 7 2 6 9 8 4 1 3 1 9 7 8 4 6 3 5 2 6 2 7 8 9 3 1 4 5 9 5 3 4 6 1 7 2 8 3 8 1 2 5 9 4 7 6 FUTOSHIKI 1 3 5 2 4 2 5 1 4 3 3 1 4 5 2 4 2 3 1 5 5 4 2 3 1 SU-DOKU TOUGHIE 3 9 5 8 4 7 1 2 6 2 5 9 7 6 8 4 3 1 6 8 3 1 2 9 7 5 4 1 8 6 7 3 2 9 4 5 4 7 1 5 2 3 6 8 9 2 3 8 4 9 6 5 7 1 9 7 3 5 1 8 4 6 2 1 3 2 6 8 7 5 9 4 8 6 4 9 7 1 2 3 5 JIGSAW SU-DOKU 4 6 2 3 7 9 8 5 1 3 9 1 7 4 8 5 6 2 2 3 5 8 1 6 9 4 7 7 8 6 4 2 3 1 9 5 9 2 4 1 5 7 3 8 6 6 1 8 9 3 5 7 2 4 1 5 3 6 8 4 2 7 9 5 7 9 2 6 1 4 3 8 8 4 7 5 9 2 6 1 3 LOOP 1 2 4 3 3 4 3 3 4 4 3 2 2 2 0 1 0 2 1 2 3 2 3 3 1 GOGEN 1 G W D P X H R K M N I E T Q B J F C V L O S A U Y BATTLESHIPS 2 S I C W B X Y F J T K O R Q V D M G P A H U N L E WORDSEARCH X E O G T N O D Y B A B U I U V B E K G Y U S O R J S W E A N A M M I N U C H M T S N E L A B H Q T N A K W R W O S N L M U E P N A X B U Z Y N T O O E O A Y E W H H G B Z Y R E R L Y R F P V E G E N H Z O M N T T T M Y V E N U S A P N O O T O O O O D O I Q A M B G S T I G F L R H A O L P L P E D H L I S G F Q K L Q E K N N N I O B T P V R Q H K F B E O U N Q X O A Y B Y R T R L R U O G Z L N X C B V Z E V A U G F N G H E H A L F B R E E D H I I S E N S E S I N U O L T O D E S P E R A T E S T P L L C A S H I E R A L A M T L E G E N D A R Y T I T T R O V A S W E D E E T H I O P I A S I N I M T E C H N I Q U E R S U T E A R N M E S H N E D Y G L A M O R O U S T L L U T H U M I L I T Y DOUBLE JIGWORD 2 5 6 2 8 2 2 2 2 3 6 2 2 2 3 CELLS COLOSSAL CROSSWORD ACROSS: 13 Poles apart, 14 Pillage, 15 Roll up, 16 Bang on, 17 Curious, 18 Hoots, 19 Over, 20 Set-to, 21 Minds, 22 Tirade, 23 Bigot, 28 Amended, 30 Draught, 33 Laying off, 36 Putter, 38 Pilot, 39 Shake, 40 Combat, 42 Leaks, 43 Fiddled, 44 Stable, 46 Kids, 49 Spin, 51 Totted, 53 In a stew, 55 Aside, 59 Couple, 60 At all, 61 Light, 62 Aspens, 63 Not likely, 65 Bassets, 66 Confirm, 70 Began, 71 Sheath, 73 Rebel, 75 Mango, 80 Blue, 82 Poser, 83 Cheddar, 84 Exists, 85 Coffer, 86 Machete, 87 Working out. DOWN: 1 Donate, 2 Heighten, 3 Rainy, 4 Catch it, 5 Stared, 6 Spoon, 7 Closet, 8 Bathers, 9 Secondrate, 10 Cross, 11 Blooming, 12 Muse, 24 Offhand, 25 Heard, 26 Further, 27 Pitcher, 29 Mouse, 31 Riled, 32 Hash, 34 Sprint, 35 Fast, 37 Taken up, 41 Makes up, 45 Bleats, 47 Streaks, 48 Unclose, 50 Propose, 52 Edam, 54 Sight, 56 Donor, 57 Flea, 58 Baton, 60 All the same, 64 Leave off, 67 Flamingo, 68 Patrick, 69 Terrors, 72 Hacked, 74 Endows, 76 Get out, 77 Spare, 78 Revel, 79 Peril, 81 Lion. PATHFINDER The Matrix, Interstellar, Alien, Avatar, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, RoboCop, Minority Report, Back to the Future, The Martian, The Fifth Element, Blade Runner, Mad Max, Equilibrium, The Terminator, X-Men, Planet of the Apes, Gravity, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Elysium, Looper. 30-sec brain teaser Beginner 40; Intermediate 140; Advanced 270. HONEYCOMB 1 Garden, 2 Railed, 3 Demote, 4 Toasts, 5 Stumps, 6 Madcap, 7 Accord, 8 Rocker, 9 Return, 10 Runnel, 11 Leader, 12 Needed. ANAGRAM CROSSWORD ACROSS: 7 Bistro, 8 Assets, 9 Bate, 10 Earnings, 11 Gymnast, 13 Paean, 15 Tabor, 17 Shotgun, 20 Scramble, 21 Aide, 22 Adhere, 23 Duties. DOWN: 1 Binary, 2 Stye, 3 Moreish, 4 Lairs, 5 Aspirant, 6 Stigma, 12 Neonates, 14 Threads, 16 Arcade, 18 Undies, 19 Abbey, 21 Anti. BRICKWORK Oil, Silo, Coils, Social, Coals, Cols, Cos. WORD SPIRAL 1 Fang; 2 Golf; 3 Fear; 4 Read; 5 Daft; 6 Tang; 7 Gasp; 8 Pack; 9 Knot; 10 Tutu; 11 Urdu; 12 Urns; 13 Snag; 14 Grow; 15 Weep; 16 Post. Keyword: Pasteur CIRCLEGRAM The letter represented by the question mark is B. Softball, netball, bowling, all ball sports. CLOCKWORD 1 Hostel, 2 Actual, 3 Reveal, 4 Ordeal, 5 Lentil, 6 Diesel, 7 Weasel, 8 Israel, 9 Laurel, 10 Stroll, 11 Oxtail, 12 Normal. Hidden name: Harold Wilson QUIZWORD ACROSS: 1 Starman, 7 Price, 8 Serpent, 9 Massif, 11 Virus, 13 Bomb, 14 Spenser, 15 Ghee, 16 Edgar, 17 Of Love, 21 Limoges, 22 Venus, 23 Central. DOWN: 2 The Birth Of, 3 Repousse, 4 Anne, 5 Proa, 6 Acts, 9 Mouse, 10 I Am A Camera, 12 Feste, 13 Bridport, 18 Leek, 19 Vaud, 20 Time. CROSSword ACROSS: 1 Up-tempo, 7 Never, 8 Convent, 9 Bridge, 11 Grill, 13 Coin, 14 Prior to, 15 Stye, 16 After, 17 Cravat, 21 Secular, 22 Bleat, 23 Maudlin. DOWN: 2 Protractor, 3 Envelope, 4 Pony, 5 Herr, 6 Seed, 9 Beard, 10 Glitterati, 12 Digit, 13 Confound, 18 Axle, 19 Arab, 20 Beta. Two-speed COFFEEBREAK ACROSS: 1 Plant, 5 Power, 9 Log, 10 Aware, 11 Avail, 12 Den, 13 Net, 14 Ear, 16 Tap, 18 Easter, 21 Test, 23 Oats, 26 Eraser, 29 Pea, 31 Use, 32 Tar, 34 Pal, 36 Alice, 37 Swear, 38 She, 39 Sheer, 40 Sites. DOWN: 1 Planet, 2 Love, 3 Agates, 4 Tales, 5 Padre, 6 Ore, 7 Went, 8 Rasp, 15 Atlas, 17 Apt, 19 Ate, 20 Roe, 22 Ewe, 24 Artist, 25 Sprees, 27 Ruler, 28 Sears, 29 Pass, 30 Apse, 33 Ache, 35 Awe. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE QUIZ 1 1990, 2 Portugal, 3 Germany, 4 World War I, 5 Nikita Khrushchev, 6 Montana, 7 Eric Clapton, 8 Jodie Foster, 9 Timothy Dalton, 10 Meryl Streep, 11 Short and separate, 12 Hertfordshire, 13 Hydrangea, 14 Take blood, 15 Hydroponics, 16 Nebulae, 17 Puffin, 18 The brain, 19 Helsinki, 20 Twelve, 21 Four, 22 Leeds United, 23 Snowdonia, 24 Capoeira, 25 Harajuku, 26 Guernsey, 27 Indonesia, 28 Greenland, 29 Stack, 30 Syria. NAME GAME RAY REARDON 1R, 2D, 3A, 4R, 5N, 6A, 7R, 8O, 9Y, 10E. Word wheel ELOPEMENT JUST A BIT OF FUN 2 Lip ornament MIRRORGRAM DISHEARTEN SUMTHING 9x3=27, 3x5=15, 3x8=24. FRIDAY’S SPEEDBREAKER 1=A, 2=Y, 3=X, 4=M, 5=J, 6=N, 7=D, 8=R, 9=Q, 10=B, 11=V, 12=L, 13=P, 14=F, 15=O, 16=I, 17=E, 18=S, 19=G, 20=K, 21=Z, 22=U, 23=C, 24=T, 25=W, 26=H.

4 DAILY MIRROR MONDAY 13.05.2024 DM1ST Aries March 21–April 20 Libra Sept 24–Oct 23 Scorpio Oct 24 – Nov 22 Gemini May 22 –June 21 Sagittarius Nov 23 – Dec 21 CapricornDec 22 –Jan 20 Aquarius Jan 21 – Feb 19 Pisces Feb 20 – Mar 20 Taurus April 21  – May 21 Cancer June 22 –July 23 For more call0905 789 4176 (80p/min + network access charge) For more call0905 789 4182 (80p/min + network access charge) CARTOONS RUSSELL GRANT For more call0905 789 4175 (80p/min + network access charge) For more call0905 789 4181 (80p/min + network access charge) For more call0905 789 4171 (80p/min + network access charge) For more call0905 789 4177 (80p/min + network access charge) For more call0905 789 4172 (80p/min + network access charge) For more call0905 789 4178 (80p/min + network access charge) For more call0905 789 4174 (80p/min + network access charge) For more call0905 789 4180 (80p/min + network access charge) For more call0905 789 4173 (80p/min + network access charge) For more call0905 789 4179 (80p/min + network access charge) Leo July 24 – August 23 Virgo Aug 24 –  Sept 23 You will be hearing from someone who was recently involved in an unresolved incident. Their evidence will be key to understanding what went on. This will lead to a diplomatic exchange of views with someone apologising for the part they played in this particular drama. A story does not add up and is not being explained openly because decisions are going on behind closed doors without involving the public. Be ready to give full consideration to an unexpected offer that will come your way. This could make quite a difference to your future prospects. Your conscience is pushing you to get ahead with some private matters. This will keep you in the background. Someone will complain if you pull out of social arrangements at the last minute but, for the sake of your health, it will be essential to follow your own inclinations. New routines aren’t working. There will be a need to quickly rearrange your schedule. This may mean missing out on meeting up with friends. A frustrating incident suggests you have encountered a point of deadlock with your partner, a child, or a young neighbour. When you’re feeling great it makes sense to find a positive outlet for your drive and enthusiasm. In the past you have allowed restlessness to lead you into trying all sorts of dead-end pastimes. This time you fully intend to make better use of your time and energy. You have a list of jobs to do and each one holds the same degree of importance at this moment in time. Instead of doing a little bit of everything, then keep returning to unfinished jobs, it will be easier in the long-run to focus on one thing at a time. Rank jobs by their priority. If you need some help or support there are plenty willing hands around you. All you have to do is ask and people will be pleased to assist you. With you being so busy, once the day gets going it will pass by amazingly quickly. You should have a lot to show for your efforts by tonight. Over-analysing problems can cause stress-related illnesses. Tension will bring a few aches and pains. You’re trying to sort out a dilemma but this does not justify analysing every twist and turn along the way. If a situation you aren’t happy about cannot be changed, walk away from it. Your mood is such that you will take anything coming your way in your stride and you will never lose your sense of humour no matter what the job might be. Activities that keep your mind occupied and feed your rampant curiosity will bring you the most satisfaction. It’s hard to get through to an older relative or neighbour that the reason why you haven’t seen a lot of them lately is because you just haven’t had the time. As much as you would like to please everyone, you have jobs to do that need to be given a priority. Close your ears to complaints. Someone close will make an announcement that takes you by surprise. It would not have been such a shock, had they prepared you for this earlier. It will become apparent that they deliberately held back from telling you because they knew you would try to talk them out of it. Either you will be making a decision from which there is no turning back and you will intuitively know you are doing the right thing, or Fate will take a hand in your life presenting you with an opportunity you won’t be able to resist. Whichever it is, they will have beneficial consequences. Calls cost 80p per minute plus your telephone company’s network access charge – maximum of 5 minutes duration. You must be over 18 and have the bill payer’s permission. Service provider Spoke. Helpline 0333 202 3390 mirror.co.uk/ horoscopes Sandwiches Good Food daily recipe to collect TOMORROW’S RECIPE: PANUOZZO SANDWICH 4 thick slices of focaccia or 8 slices of bread, to serve 2 tbsp basil pesto (ensure vegetarian, if needed) 2 tsp extra virgin olive oil Handful of rocket 2 x 125g balls of mozzarella, sliced (ensure vegetarian, if needed) 2 large ripe tomatoes, sliced Small handful of basil leaves ½ small red onion, sliced (optional) 2 tsp thick balsamic vinegar 1 If you’re using focaccia, cut the slices across the middle so that you have a total of eight slices. Spread 1/4 tbsp of pesto over four of the focaccia or bread slices, and then drizzle each of the remaining four slices with 1/2 tsp olive oil. 2 Divide the rocket, mozzarella, tomatoes, basil leaves and red onion slices over the pesto-topped focaccia or bread. Drizzle 1/4 tsp balsamic vinegar over each of the remaining slices. Sandwich the slices together, wrap up for a picnic or serve straightaway. Best eaten on the day they’re made. Caprese sandwich Load slices of focaccia with pesto, mozzarella, rocket, red onion and tomato. They’re a perfect sandwich for feeding a hungry crowd in a picnic. PREP: 10 MINS NO COOK EASY SERVES 4 www.highstreettv.com/DM088 + £3.99 P&P ONLY £89.99 SOUP CHEF PRO HOME-MADE SOUP IN MINUTES! • 8 Functions – Smooth, Smooth+, Sauté, Keep Warm, Chunky, Auto-Clean, Memory & Delay Timer. • Perfect for families & Meal Prep – The large 1.6L capacity Soup Chef cooks up to 5 bowls of soup in minutes! • 12 Hour Delay Timer: your soup is ready when you are. Simply set your timer and Soup Chef Pro will start making your nutritious soup at a time that suits you. NEW Try a subscription to Good Food magazine and get your first 6 issues for just £9.99. Each month you’ll receive your copy through the letterbox packed with more than 70 beautifully photographed, thoroughly tested recipes as well as features from your favourite chefs and ways to cut down costs in the kitchen. Subscribe today by visiting buysubscriptions.com/GFMIR24B SAGITTARIUS CAPRICORN AQUARIUS PISCES ARIES LEO VIRGO LIBRA SCORPIO SAGITTARIUS CAPRICORN AQUARIUS PISCES TAURUS GEMINI CANCER SAGITTARIUS CAPRICORN AQUARIUS PISCES ARIES LEO VIRGO LIBRA SCORPIO SAGITTARIUS CAPRICORN AQUARIUS PISCES TAURUS GEMINI CANCER ARIES LEO VIRGO LIBRA SCORPIO ITTARIUS CAPRICORN AQUARIUS PISCES TAURUS GEMINI CANCER ARIES LEO VIRGO LIBRA SCORPIO ITTARIUS CAPRICORN AQUARIUS PISCES TAURUS GEMINI CANCER SAGITTARIUS CAPRICORN AQUARIUS PISCES ARIES LEO VIRGO LIBRA SCORPIO SAGITTARIUS CAPRICORN AQUARIUS PISCES TAURUS GEMINI CANCER ARIES LEO VIRGO LIBRA SCORPIO SAGITTARIUS CAPRICORN AQUARIUS PISCES TAURUS GEMINI CANCER RGO LIBRA SCORPIO RICORN AQUARIUS PISCES RGO LIBRA SCORPIO RICORN AQUARIUS PISCES AURUS GEMINI CANCER RGO LIBRA SCORPIO RICORN AQUARIUS PISCES AURUS GEMINI CANCER ARIES LEO VIRGO LIBRA SCORPIO SAGITTARIUS CAPRICORN AQUARIUS PISCES TAURUS GEMINI CANCER ARIES LEO VIRGO LIBRA SCORPIO SAGITTARIUS CAPRICORN AQUARIUS PISCES TAURUS GEMINI CANCER ARIES LEO VIRGO LIBRA SCORPIO SAGITTARIUS CAPRICORN AQUARIUS PISCES TAURUS GEMINI CANCER ARIES LEO VIRGO LIBRA SCORPIO SAGITTARIUS CAPRICORN AQUARIUS PISCES TAURUS GEMINI CANCER ARIES LEO VIRGO LIBRA SCORPIO SAGITTARIUS CAPRICORN AQUARIUS PISCES TAURUS GEMINI CANCER ARIES LEO VIRGO LIBRA SCORPIO SAGITTARIUS CAPRICORN AQUARIUS PISCES TAURUS GEMINI CANCER ARIES LEO VIRGO LIBRA SCORPIO SAGITTARIUS CAPRICORN AQUARIUS PISCES TAURUS GEMINI CANCER ARIES LEO VIRGO LIBRA SCORPIO SAGITTARIUS CAPRICORN AQUARIUS PISCES TAURUS GEMINI CANCER ARIES LEO VIRGO LIBRA SCORPIO SAGITTARIUS CAPRICORN AQUARIUS PISCES TAURUS GEMINI CANCER ARIES LEO VIRGO LIBRA SCORPIO SAGITTARIUS CAPRICORN AQUARIUS PISCES TAURUS GEMINI CANCER ARIES LEO VIRGO LIBRA SCORPIO SAGITTARIUS CAPRICORN AQUARIUS PISCES TAURUS GEMINI CANCER ARIES LEO VIRGO LIBRA SCORPIO SAGITTARIUS CAPRICORN AQUARIUS PISCES TAURUS GEMINI CANCER ARIES LEO VIRGO LIBRA SCORPIO SAGITTARIUS CAPRICORN AQUARIUS PISCES TAURUS GEMINI CANCER ARIES LEO VIRGO LIBRA SCORPIO SAGITTARIUS CAPRICORN AQUARIUS PISCES TAURUS GEMINI CANCER ARIES LEO VIRGO LIBRA SCORPIO SAGITTARIUS CAPRICORN AQUARIUS PISCES TAURUS GEMINI CANCER ARIES LEO VIRGO LIBRA SCORPIO SAGITTARIUS CAPRICORN AQUARIUS PISCES TAURUS GEMINI CANCER ARIES LEO VIRGO LIBRA SCORPIO SAGITTARIUS CAPRICORN AQUARIUS PISCES TAURUS GEMINI CANCER IBRA SCORPIO UARIUS PISCES EMINI CANCER IBRA SCORPIO UARIUS PISCES EMINI CANCER IBRA SCORPIO UARIUS PISCES EMINI CANCER

from Quick & easy recipes Slimming World

Intro and about to come Tagliatelle carbonara Serves 2, ready in 20 minutes • 200g dried tagliatelle • 6 smoked back bacon rashers all visible fat removed, cut into small chunks • 250g mushrooms, thinly sliced • 3 egg yolks, plus the white of 1 egg • ½ small pack fresh chives, snipped FROM THE STORECUPBOARD • Low-calorie cooking spray 1 Get started by cooking the pasta according to the pack instructions. 2 At the same time, put a non-stick frying pan over a medium-high heat and spray with low-calorie cooking spray. Tip in the bacon and cook for 5 minutes or until browned, stirring often. Set aside on a plate. 3 Give the pan a good wipe with kitchen paper then add the mushrooms and spritz with low-calorie cooking spray. Season lightly and cook for 3 minutes or until done how you like them. Return the bacon to the pan and keep it all warm. 4 Beat the egg yolks and egg white with some seasoning in a bowl. Drain the pasta, reserving some of the cooking water. Quickly stir the eggs into the hot pasta to create a creamy, silky sauce, then add the bacon and mushroom mixture. If it’s looking a bit too sticky or thick, loosen with a little of the pasta cooking water. 5 Stir through most of the chives and divide between plates, then grind over plenty of black pepper and sprinkle over the remaining chives to serve. Tagliatelle carbonara If the delicious Slimming World recipes in yesterday’s paper have whet your appetite, then today’s pullout is sure to get your tastebuds tingling once more. Life is busy for all of us and when you’re juggling work, home and family life, it can feel as if there’s not enough hours in the day. And even if eating healthily and feeling good is important to you, it can often be challenging to fi nd the time to spend preparing and cooking healthy meals from scratch. So if you’re time poor and looking for quick-and-easy meals to enjoy that can help you to achieve your healthy eating goals and taste great too, you’re in luck. Lots of today’s recipes can be made with just fi ve ingredients and are ready in just under an hour, saving you time, effort and money. With fl avour-packed recipes including Lamb with baby hasselback potatoes, Smoky ratatouille pasta and Mexican turkey rice bowls, there’s bound to be something for you whatever your tastes. And to make things even easier, you can also watch videos of some of the dishes being prepared. Or if you’re simply in need of some mid-week inspiration, we have got even more of that in the form of Slimming World’s Woman of the Year 2023 Kelly Barker – who’s lost an incredible 18st. She shares her favourite recipes using the Slimming World Free Food range, which is the only food range based 100% around Slimming World’s famous Food Optimising healthy eating plan and exclusively available at Iceland, Food Warehouse and Dunnes stores. Try her Bacon, sausage and egg stacks or Jerk chicken lettuce cups with a pineapple and chilli salsa on page 6. Plus read how June Cockburn transformed her lifestyle and adopted healthier habits as she approached her 60s. And if you missed it in yesterday’s paper, take advantage of two great offers (on page 26) to join your local Slimming World group or Slimming World Online, saving you £5/€9 and providing you with all the tools, support and guidance you need to get started on your weightloss journey. With life getting busier and summer just around the corner there’s no better time than now to try these super quick and tasty recipes Slimming made easy

Lamb with baby hasselback potatoes Serves 4, ready in 50 minutes • 1kg new potatoes • 600g asparagus, woody ends snapped off • 3 unwaxed lemons, 1 thickly sliced, 1 zested and juiced, 1 cut into wedges • 4 lean lamb leg steaks, all visible fat removed • A small pack fresh mint, a few leaves reserved, the rest roughly chopped FROM THE STORECUPBOARD • Low-calorie cooking spray 1 Preheat your oven to 180°C/fan 160°C/gas 4. 2 Make as many neat cuts as you can into the top of each potato, slicing about halfway into them (but not all the way through). Put the potatoes in a non-stick roasting tin, cut-side up, and spritz with low-calorie cooking spray. Sprinkle over a little salt and roast for 30 minutes. 3 Add the asparagus and sliced lemon to the potatoes, squirt with low-calorie cooking spray and stick the tin back in the oven for 10 more minutes. 4 At the same time, spray the lamb steaks with low-calorie cooking spray and put a non-stick griddle pan or frying pan over a high heat. Fry the lamb for about 3-4 minutes on each side for medium-rare, or longer if you prefer. Cover with foil and rest for 10 minutes, then thinly slice the lamb. 5 Toss the lemon juice, zest and the chopped mint through the asparagus and potatoes, discarding the cooked lemon. Add the lamb and serve with lemon wedges and the mint leaves scattered over. Scan this QR code for a step-by-step video on how to make this recipe:

Tip If you can’t find oil-free Mediterranean veg, you can use fresh or frozen peppers Hake and veg bake Serves 2, ready in 25 minutes • 120g dried basmati rice • 250g cherry tomatoes, halved • 2 large peppers (red and yellow), deseeded and cut into chunks • 2 skinless and boneless hake fillets (or another white fish) • A small pack fresh basil, a few leaves reserved, the rest finely chopped From the storecupboard • Low-calorie cooking spray 1 Preheat your oven to 180°C/fan 160°C/gas 4. 2 Cook the rice according to the pack instructions, then drain and set aside. 3 At the same time, spread out the cherry tomatoes and peppers in a non-stick baking tray and season lightly. Spray with low-calorie cooking spray and roast for 5-6 minutes. 4 Add the fish, sprinkle with some seasoning and spray with low-calorie cooking spray. Bake for 10 minutes or until the fish is done (cook for a little longer if your fillets are on the thick side). 5 Stir the chopped basil through the rice and divide between plates. Top with the veg and fish and scatter over the basil leaves to serve. Smoky ratatouille pasta Serves 4, ready in 35 minutes • 500g fresh or frozen mixed Mediterranean vegetables (no added oil) • 2 tsp smoked paprika • 500g passata with garlic • 400g conchiglie pasta (or any shapes) • A small pack fresh basil From the storecupboard • Low-calorie cooking spray 1 Preheat your oven to 200°C/fan 180°C/gas 6. 2 Put the vegetables in a deep non-stick roasting tin and spray with low-calorie cooking spray, then sprinkle over the paprika and season lightly. Roast for 25 minutes, then pour in the passata and return to the oven for another 5 minutes. 3 At the same time, cook the pasta according to the pack instructions and drain well. 4 Take the tin out of the oven and transfer half of the veg to a food processor. Add most of the basil to the food processor and blitz to make a smooth sauce. 5 Combine the pasta, veggies and sauce and check the seasoning. Divide between bowls and scatter over the rest of the basil leaves to serve. Scan this QR code for a step-by-step video on how to make this recipe: vegan

1 Spray a medium non-stick saucepan with low-calorie cooking spray and put it over a medium-high heat. Add the turkey and cook for 9-10 minutes or until browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain off any fat. 2 Tip in the peppers and cook for another 10 minutes, then stir through the fajita seasoning and cook for 2 more minutes. 3 Scatter over the rice and pour in the stock, then season lightly and bring to the boil. Stir everything together, cover and reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Cook for 15-20 minutes or until the stock has all been absorbed and the rice is tender. 4 Check the seasoning and serve. Mexican turkey rice bowls Serve 2, ready in 45 minutes • 250g lean turkey mince (5% fat or less) • 2 large peppers (red and yellow), deseeded and thinly sliced • 2 tbsp fajita seasoning • 160g dried long-grain rice • 400ml boiling vegetable stock FROM THE STORECUPBOARD • Low-calorie cooking spray Scan this QR code for a step-by-step video on how to make this recipe: Creamy chicken mushroom bowl Serves 4, ready in 35 minutes • 4 large skinless and boneless chicken breasts • 4 smoked back bacon rashers, all visible fat removed, roughly chopped • 250g mushrooms, sliced • 300g spinach or baby spinach • 4 tbsp fat-free natural fromage frais FROM THE STORECUPBOARD • Low-calorie cooking spray 1 Preheat your oven to 180°C/fan 160°C/gas 4. 2 Put the chicken in a non-stick baking tray lined with baking paper, season lightly and spray with low-calorie cooking spray. Roast for 25-30 minutes or until cooked through. 3 Once the chicken is roasting, spray a non-stick saucepan with low-calorie cooking spray and put it over a medium heat. Add the bacon and sizzle for 5 minutes. Drain off any fat, then bump up the heat to medium-high, add the mushrooms and cook for 5 more minutes. Drop the spinach into the pan and cook for 3 minutes or until wilted. Turn the heat back down to medium, cover and cook for 8-10 minutes. 4 Take the pan off the heat, stir through the fromage frais and divide between plates. Slice the chicken and arrange on top, then grind over some black pepper to serve. All recipes are taken from Slimming World’s Take 5 Free recipe book. Join your local Slimming World group or sign up online for even more recipes, guidance and support. To fi nd your nearest group, visit slimmingworld.co.uk/slimmingworld.ie or call 0344 897 8000/01 656 9696 ©Slimming World 2024. ‘Slimming World’ is a registered trademark of Miles-Bramwell Executive Services, trading as Slimming World. Images: Slimming World/James Lee.

©Slimming World 2024. ‘Slimming World’ is a registered trademark of Miles-Bramwell Executive Services, trading as Slimming World. Images: Iceland Chilli loaded wedges with cowboy rice salad Serves 3, ready in 30 minutes • ½ x 800g bag Slimming World Seasoned Potato Wedges, using 1 seasoning sachet (available to buy from Iceland) • 1 Slimming World Chilli Con Carne & Rice meal (available to buy from Iceland) • Zest and juice of 1 lime • A small can sweetcorn, drained • 1 red pepper, deseeded and finely diced • 4 spring onions, chopped, with the green tops kept separate • 1 tsp fresh or frozen diced red chilli • 3 tbsp fat-free natural yogurt 1 Cook the Slimming World Seasoned Potato Wedges according to the pack instructions. 2 When the potatoes have about 10 minutes to go, microwave the Slimming World Chilli Con Carne & Rice meal according to the pack instructions. 3 Tip the rice into a bowl and stir in half the lime zest and juice, then the sweetcorn, red pepper, white spring onion and diced red chilli. Transfer the mixture to a serving bowl. 4 Put the yogurt in a separate small bowl and stir in the remaining lime zest and juice. 5 To serve, arrange the potato wedges in your serving dish and spoon the chilli con carne over the top, followed by dollops of the lime yogurt. Scatter with the green spring onions to serve. Jerk chicken lettuce cups with a pineapple and chilli salsa Serves 2, ready in 20 minutes • 1 Slimming World Jerk Chicken & Rice meal (available to buy from Iceland) • 2 little gem lettuces For the salsa • A pack of ready chopped fresh pineapple, cut into smaller dice • 1 tsp fresh or frozen diced red chilli • ½ small bunch of fresh coriander, chopped • 2 spring onions, chopped • Zest and juice of 1 lime 1 Microwave the Slimming World Jerk Chicken & Rice meal according to the pack instructions, adding an extra minute of standing time (if you oven-cook the meal, add an extra 45 minutes to this recipemaking time). 2 Meanwhile, cut off the bottom of the lettuce, discard the stem and open up the leaves to separate them. Rinse the leaves and set them aside to dry. 3 Next, stir together all the salsa ingredients in a bowl and season lightly. 4 Pat the lettuce cups with kitchen towel to soak up any water, then spoon some jerk chicken mixture into each one. Arrange the on a serving plate and top with the salsa, serving any extra on the side. Tip Check out the full Slimming World meal range at Iceland

As Slimming World’s Woman of the Year 2023, it’s safe to say Kelly Barker has made something of a name for herself thanks to her talents in the kitchen. With an army of fans following her recipe ideas on Instagram, there’s no-one better to create some fabulous new recipe ideas using the Slimming World meal range at Iceland. Kelly says: “The range is perfect when you’re in a hurry and want something quick and tasty without slaving away in the kitchen for hours. Putting these recipes together has been so much fun. Chilli con carne is one of my all-time favourite meals – so the chilli loaded wedges are right up my street. The jerk chicken lettuce cups are fab for a quick lunch, and when I fancy an indulgent weekend breakfast there’s nothing better than this tasty breakfast stack. “Slimming World’s Food Optimising eating plan has helped me lose 18st – even so, I’m still amazed that it’s possible to lose weight while eating such delicious food! I think varying my food and always having something tasty to look forward to has been a key part of my success. “I hope everyone enjoys trying these creations and maybe even having a go at making up some of their own!” Bacon, sausage and egg hash brown stacks Serves 3, ready in 25 minutes ‘Having tasty food to look forward to has been key to my SUCCESS’ Kelly Barker uses her fl air in the kitchen to create new recipes using Slimming World’s food range at Iceland Kelly Barker Age: 42 From: St Helens Starting weight: 28st 7lbs Weight now: 10st 7lbs WEIGHT LOSS: 18st • 400g can potatoes, drained • 350g fl oury potatoes, peeled and grated • 1 small onion, fi nely chopped • 3 Slimming World Sausage Patties (available to buy from Iceland) 1 Tip the canned potatoes into a large bowl and crush them with a fork or masher – you’re aiming for what looks like very lumpy mash. Next, coarsely grate the fresh potatoes into a clean, dry tea towel. Wring out as much liquid as you can, then add them to the mash. Add the onion and season lightly, then give everything a good mix with your hands. 2 Divide the mixture into 6 equal portions and form them into round patties (use a pastry ring to help, if you have one). 3 Preheat your air fryer to 200°C. Line the air-fryer basket with baking paper and add the hash browns. Spray them with low-calorie cooking spray and cook for 15-20 minutes or until golden and cooked, turning halfway*. Set aside on a plate and cover with foil to keep warm. (You may have to cook these in batches, just remember warm the fi rst batch in the air fryer for a few minutes before serving.) 4 Grill the sausage patties, bacon medallions and fi eld mushrooms for 10 minutes, or until cooked through. Meanwhile, spray a nonstick frying pan with low-calorie cooking spray and fry the eggs to your liking. Pop the spinach leaves into a microwaveable bowl and cook until wilted (around 1-2 minutes, so the leaves are glossy and tender but not mushy). 5 When everything is ready, layer up half the hash browns with a sausage patty, a mushroom, a bacon medallion, the spinach and 2 tomato slices, before topping with another hash brown. Sit a fried egg on top of each stack and serve with roasted vine tomatoes, if you’re using and 1 level tbsp ketchup (optional). *To oven-cook your hash browns: line a baking tray with baking paper, add the hash browns and cook at 200°C/fan 180°C/gas 6 for 20 minutes, or until golden and cooked through. • 3 bacon medallions, all visible fat removed • 3 fi eld mushrooms • 3 eggs • A small bag spinach, wilted • 1 beef tomato, sliced into 6 BEFORE Kelly weighed 28st 7lbs BEFORE Kelly lost 18st to become Slimming World’s Woman of the Year 2023 • Roasted vine tomatoes, to serve (optional) • 3 level tbsp reduced sugar and salt ketchup (optional)

FAB 60s’ ‘Why I’m feeling in my With a milestone birthday on the horizon, Reverend June Cockburn was determined to start her next decade with a new energy. Here’s how Slimming World helped her reach her happy weight – and make it stick! ‘‘ Words: KEVIN DONALD PHOTOGRAPHS: SLIMMING WORLD/PAUL BULLER My husband, Eric, was watching TV when I suddenly announced: ‘I’ve just decided something. I will not be sad, sick and 60.’ He turned his gaze to me, clearly sensing that this conversation was going to require his full attention. Eric nodded, smiled and said: ‘I love you as you are, but if you’re unhappy, then it’s a good time to do something about it.’ It was just what I needed to hear from my ever-supportive husband, because I had little doubt my weight had been adding to my health problems. Recently, I’d been prescribed strong painkillers to cope with arthritis in my hips. A physiotherapist had told me that exercise and losing weight would help – but how? So on the eve of my 59th birthday in September 2021, I rejoined Slimming World for the third time. This time will be different, I thought. The fi rst time I’d tried to lose weight back in 2013, I hadn’t been in the right headspace. I went back the next year far more motivated – this time, though, my best intentions were derailed by a devastating blow when my sister, Yvonne, died at the age of 50 from cancer. It seemed so unjust that she should be taken so young. I felt her loss desperately and I still do to this day. Overwhelmed with grief, I found myself seeking comfort in food. I spent a little time choosing my group for my fresh start. As a vicar in a suburban parish, with pastoral responsibilities in the local community, I felt it would be easier to go to a group where people didn’t know me. So, I found one in Birstall run by a Consultant called Yvonne. It caught my eye because she had the same Christian name as my sister. Looking back, it feels like God played a hand in helping me choose, because Yvonne turned out to be just the person I needed. In my line of work, I’ve become very used to people turning to me for support and guidance in times of need, and I wasn’t used to being the one looking for it. Now, on top of my community through church, my group became a place where I could lean on the strength and support of others – a place of no judgement, that felt like a second family. At home I did all the cooking, so Eric wasn’t allowed to opt out – we always ate together. As a pescetarian and with Eric being vegetarian, I found a wealth of recipes that suited both of us. An early favourite was a simple but delicious chickpea curry. In my fi rst week, I lost 2lbs, and consistently lost weight week after week. My two girls were thrilled that I was starting to see results. Reanne, in particular, loved getting active. ‘You’re doing so well, Mum,’ she said. ‘Have you thought about doing some exercise? You used to swim, didn’t you?’ I was delighted to fi nd that, as long as I stuck with front crawl, I could swim without any pain in my hips. It boosted my motivation and weight loss. I gradually built up my stamina to the point where I could do 40 lengths three or four times a week. By the time my 60th birthday came around – a year and a day after I rejoined Slimming World – I felt fi tter and happier than I’d ever imagined. By the following December, I’d hit my target and felt really good. The parishioners at church were among the fi rst to take in the new me and were full of kind words and praise, which made me feel like a million dollars. I’ve recently had both my hips replaced and I’m raring to take on life once I’ve thrown away the crutches – it feels great to be 62, sizzling and sexy! BEFORE With husband Eric DETERMINED June rejoined Slimming World to lose weight before her 60th ‘‘ Reverend June Cockburn, 62, lives in Leeds, West Yorkshire, with her husband, Eric. They have three grown-up children, Leon, Reanne and Sarah Height: 5ft 6ins Starting weight: 14st 10½lbs Weight now: 12st 11lbs WEIGHT LOST: 1ST 13½LBS June is a member of Yvonne Wood’s Slimming World group

13.05.2024 EARN YOUR SPURS City close in on yet another title but Pep insists: Tottenham our only focus mirror.co.uk/sport/football IN ASSOCIATION WITH GUARANTEE Found it cheaper? We’ll refund the difference Low Price Guarantee is available on selected products, as indicated by the Low Price Guarantee badge. Products are subject to change and availability. Price valid on day of purchase. If you find the same product cheaper at B&Q, Selco, Wickes, Homebase, Toolstation, Travis Perkins, Machine Mart, YESS Electrical, CEF & City Plumbing, visit your local Screwfix store and we will match it (or refund the difference, up to 30 days from date of purchase from Screwfix). Proof of cheaper price required. Exclusions and restrictions apply, for full terms and conditions, see https://www.screwfix.com/search?search=lowpricepromo. Prices valid until at least 02/06/2024. Subject to availability. Prices includes VAT at 20% (unless stated otherwise and subject to change in taxation). Prices are correct at time of print. Delivery charges and restrictions may apply – see Screwfix.com/delivery. See Screwfix.com/termsandconditions for standard T&C’s PLAY-OFFS BLANKS FOR THE MEMORIES TOMORROW, KICK-OFF 8PM TOTTENHAM v MAN CITY BY NEIL McLEMAN PEP GUARDIOLA insisted his only focus is on playing Tottenham tomorrow after Manchester City went within two wins of a record fourth consecutive title. The defending champions started the final week of the Premier League season with a resounding 4-0 win at Fulham. And City will return to the capital tomorrow to face Spurs before a final day meeting with West Ham. That clash next Sunday could be TURN TO PAGE 3 ROLLING WITHOUT STONES: PAGES 2&3 TOP OF THE TABLE P W D L F A Pts Arsenal 37 27 5 5 89 28 86 Man City 36 26 7 3 91 33 85 Liverpool 36 23 9 4 81 38 78 Aston Villa 36 20 7 9 73 53 67 Tottenham 36 19 6 11 71 59 63 Newcastle 36 17 6 13 79 57 57 Fulham 0 Manchester City 4 SEE PAGES 13&14

DAILY MIRROR 13.05.2024 2 mirror.co.uk/sport/football DM1ST IN ASSOCIATION WITH ROLLING Gvardiol steers a Thames cruise as City close in on title but John just a passenger again LOW PRICE GUARANTEE Found it chEUROSPOT LEVER NEVER LAND BAYER LEVERKUSEN are just a game from going the Bundesliga season undefeated after beating 10-man Bochum 5-0. Bayern Munich are on course for second after a 2-0 win over Wolfsburg. Harry Kane’s Bayern travel to Hoffenheim on the final day. In La Liga, Atletico Madrid’s late 1-0 win against Celta Vigo means they need just two points for a top-four spot. Juventus also find themselves in fourth in Serie A after a 1-1 draw with Salernitana. Kylian Mbappe scored but was booed on his final home game for Paris St-Germain as they lost 3-1 to Toulouse. BY NEIL McLEMAN PEP GUARDIOLA’S Manchester City moved another step closer to retaining their Premier League title by deploying four centre-backs in a defence not including John Stones. City’s £100m signing Jack Grealish, who was out ill, has made only 10 league starts this season. And their worst player on the pitch at Craven Cottage was 25-goal Erling Haaland, who missed two clear chances. But it did not matter when £77m defender Josko Gvardiol netted twice. The only doubt during this one-sided encounter was who was going to take the injury-time penalty converted by Julian Alvarez for the final goal. The Premier League’s claim to be the most competitive in the world took more time off to enjoy the sun down by the Thames. And the biggest question after the FA Cup finalist’s seventh consecutive Premier League win by at least two goals is: How long will their domestic domination continue? On recent evidence, only the departure of Guardiola when his contract expires next summer – or if City are found guilty of breaking Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) – can stop the Club World Cup champions. The case of Stones shows how strong they are. He is the best English centre-back and essential if the Three Lions are to get close to winning Euro 2024. For City he has been on the bench for six of the last seven games and has not started in the Premier League for a month. Stones (above) did not even come off the bench when Nathan Ake went off injured. At least he will be rested for Germany. “He is really okay,” said Guardiola. “Sometimes the players make a step up, the other ones. “Mateo (Kovacic) is playing unbelievable now, Nathan was unbelievable as well. That is why also, when you play games in that position. “Jack last season played a lot. This season he plays less. And in this team, you have to perform consistently well, well, well many, many times. I know their qualities.” The Catalan’s ability to refresh his squad every season ensures his players don’t get old together as young blood is injected. The three goalscorers at Fulham – Gvardiol, Phil Foden and Alvarez – are 22, 23 and 24. The Croatian defender started slowly in the Premier League but has had the time to adapt. “When you talk about football and all life, life is about confidence,” added Guardiola. “He has come here for many, many years and he is proving to himself that he can do it and play with us. He wants to be better and better and when that happens you have something special.” Gvardiol, who has scored five in seven, said: “I’m in good form and the end of the season is coming. Three more finals, so we need to be ready. “We were discussing about me taking the penalty. I said I’d like to take it, but we know who is the taker and he takes. In the end it was Julian and I’m happy for him to score.” Fulham had the same number of shots on target as red cards after Issa Diop received a second yellow for his stoppage-time foul on Alvarez which led to City’s penalty. Discounting the shoot-out defeat to Real Madrid, City are now unbeaten in 33 matches. Fulham boss Marco Silva said: “They won the Champions League. It’s so difficult to find consistency in football and they have been achieving that no matter what opposition they play against. It is what everybody in football is searching for.” FULHAM 0 MAN CITY 4 FULHAM (4-2-3-1): Leno 6; Castagne 6, Diop 7, Bassey 6, Robinson 5; Palhinha 6, Pereira 5 (Wilson 74); Decordova-Reid 4 (Cairney 46, 5), Iwobi 5, Willian 4 (Traore 46, 5); Muniz 5 (Broja 67, 4). MANCHESTER CITY (4-2-3-1): Ederson 6; Akanji 6, Dias 7, Ake 5 (Walker 22, 6), Gvardiol 8; Rodri 8, Kovacic 7 (Lewis 82); Silva 7, De Bruyne 7 (Doku 75), Foden 7 (Bobb 82); Haaland 5 (Alvarez 82). PREMIER TABLE Arsenal 37 27 5 5 89 28 86 Man City 36 26 7 3 91 33 85 Liverpool 36 23 9 4 81 38 78 Aston Villa 36 20 7 9 73 53 67 Tottenham 36 19 6 11 71 59 63 Newcastle 36 17 6 13 79 57 57 Chelsea 36 16 9 11 73 61 57 Man Utd 36 16 6 14 52 56 54 West Ham 37 14 10 13 59 71 52 Brighton 36 12 12 12 54 58 48 Bournemouth 37 13 9 15 53 65 48 Crystal Palace 37 12 10 15 52 58 46 Wolves 37 13 7 17 50 63 46 Fulham 37 12 8 17 51 59 44 **Everton 37 13 9 15 39 49 40 Brentford 37 10 9 18 54 61 39 *N Forest 37 8 9 20 47 66 29 Luton 37 6 8 23 50 81 26 Burnley (R) 37 5 9 23 40 76 24 Sheff Utd (R) 37 3 7 27 35 101 16 *Deducted 4pts **Deducted 8pts 36% POSSESSION 64% 1 SHOTS ON TARGET 9 0 SHOTS OFF TARGET 4 420 TOTAL PASSES 769 84% PASSING SUCCESS 92% 1 CORNERS 7 0 OFFSIDE 0 9 FOULS 6 1 1 CARDS 0 0 REF: Anthony Taylor ATT: 24,418 FULHAM MAN CITY JOSKO GVARDIOL MAN OF THE MATCH PREMIER LEAGUE P W D L F A Pts B Leverkusen..... 33 27 6 0 87 23 87 B Munich ........... 33 23 3 7 92 41 72 Stuttgart ........... 33 22 4 7 74 39 70 RB Leipzig ......... 33 19 7 7 75 37 64 B Dortmund ....... 33 17 9 7 64 43 60 E Frankfurt ........ 33 11 13 9 49 48 46 Hoffenheim ....... 33 12 7 14 62 64 43 Freiburg............. 33 11 9 13 44 56 42 Heidenheim ....... 33 9 12 12 46 54 39 Augsburg ........... 33 10 9 14 49 58 39 W Bremen .......... 33 10 9 14 44 53 39 VfL Wolfsburg .... 33 10 7 16 40 53 37 M’gladbach ........ 33 7 13 13 56 63 34 VfL Bochum ....... 33 7 12 14 41 70 33 Mainz ................ 33 6 14 13 36 50 32 Union Berlin ...... 33 8 6 19 31 57 30 Cologne ............. 33 5 12 16 27 56 27 Darmstadt ......... 33 3 8 22 30 82 17 GERMANY B M’GLADBACH (1) 1 E FRANKFURT (1) 1 Hack 9 Ebimbe 35 COLOGNE (1) 3 UNION BERLIN (2) 2 Kainz 45 (pen) Knoche 15 Tigges 87 Volland 19 (pen) Downs 90 FREIBURG (1) 1 HEIDENHEIM (1) 1 Doan 29 Sessa 37 MAINZ (3) 3 BORUSSIA DORTMUND (0) 0 Barreiro 12 Lee 19, 23 RB LEIPZIG (0) 1 WERDER BREMEN (1) 1 Sesko 61 Seiwald 35 (og) BAYERN MUNICH (2) 2 WOLFSBURG (0) 0 Zvonarek 4 Goretzka 13 DARMSTADT (0) 0 HOFFENHEIM (5) 6 Bebou 2, 51, Beier 6, 44 Kaderabek 22 Kabak 26 VFL BOCHUM (0) 0 BAYER LEVERKUSEN (2) 5 Schick 41 Boniface 45 (pen) Adli 76 Stanisic 86 Grimaldo 90 P W D L F A Pts Real Madrid ....... 35 28 6 1 78 22 90 Girona ............... 35 23 6 6 75 44 75 Barcelona .......... 34 22 7 5 70 43 73 A Madrid ............ 35 22 4 9 64 39 70 A Bilbao ............. 35 17 11 7 57 35 62 Real Betis .......... 35 14 13 8 46 41 55 R Sociedad ........ 34 14 12 8 48 35 54 Villarreal ........... 35 13 9 13 59 60 48 Valencia ............ 35 13 9 13 37 39 48 Getafe ............... 35 10 13 12 41 48 43 Alaves ............... 35 11 9 15 34 40 42 Sevilla ............... 35 10 11 14 47 49 41 Osasuna ............ 35 11 7 17 39 53 40 Las Palmas ........ 35 10 7 18 30 44 37 Mallorca ............ 35 7 14 14 28 40 35 Rayo Vallecano .. 35 7 14 14 27 43 35 Celta Vigo .......... 35 8 10 17 40 53 34 Cadiz ................. 35 5 14 16 24 49 29 Granada............. 35 4 9 22 36 68 21 Almeria ............. 35 2 11 22 35 70 17 SPAIN ATHLETIC BILBAO (0) 2 OSASUNA (1) 2 Muniain 38 Garcia 40 I Williams 58 Ruben Garcia 47 Villalibre 90 GRANADA (0) 0 REAL MADRID (2) 4 Garcia 38 Guler 45 Diaz 49, 58 MALLORCA (1) 1 LAS PALMAS (0) 0 Gonzalez 29 VILLARREAL (1) 3 SEVILLA (2) 2 Sorloth 30, 90 En Nesyri 26 (pen), 44 Mosquera 84 ATLETICO MADRID (0) 1 CELTA VIGO (0) 0 De Paul 84 CADIZ (1) 1 GETAFE (0) 0 Alcaraz 35 (pen) REAL BETIS (2) 3 ALMERIA (1) 2 Fornals 8 Leo Baptistao 45 Isco 28 Romero 66 Perez 64 VALENCIA (0) 0 RAYO VALLECANO (0) 0 P W D L F A Pts Inter Milan ......... 36 29 5 2 86 19 92 AC Milan ............ 36 22 8 6 72 43 74 Bologna ............. 36 18 13 5 51 27 67 Juventus ........... 36 18 13 5 49 28 67 Atalanta ............ 35 19 6 10 65 39 63 Roma ................. 36 17 9 10 63 44 60 Lazio ................. 36 18 5 13 47 37 59 Napoli ................ 36 13 12 11 53 46 51 Fiorentina ......... 34 14 8 12 51 39 50 Torino ................ 36 12 14 10 33 32 50 Genoa ................ 36 11 13 12 43 44 46 Monza ............... 35 11 12 12 38 46 45 Lecce ................ 35 8 13 14 32 50 37 Verona ............... 36 8 10 18 34 48 34 Cagliari .............. 36 7 12 17 38 65 33 Frosinone .......... 36 7 11 18 43 68 32 Empoli ............... 36 8 8 20 26 52 32 Udinese ............. 35 4 18 13 33 52 30 Sassuolo ............ 36 7 8 21 42 72 29 Salernitana ........ 36 2 10 24 28 76 16 ITALY AC MILAN (1) 5 CAGLIARI (0) 1 Bennacer 36 Nandez 64 Pulisic 60, 87 Reijnders 75 Leao 84 NAPOLI (0) 0 BOLOGNA (2) 2 Ndoye 10 Posch 13 ATALANTA (2) 2 ROMA (0) 1 De Ketelaere 19, 21 Pellegrini 67 (pen) GENOA (0) 2 SASSUOLO (1) 1 Badelj 57 Pinamonti 32 (pen) Kumbulla 64 (og) JUVENTUS (0) 1 SALERNITANA (1) 1 Rabiot 90 Pierozzi 28 LAZIO (1) 2 EMPOLI (0) 0 Patric Gil 45 Vecino 90 VERONA (0) 1 TORINO (0) 2 Swiderski 68 Savva 78 Pellegri 84 FRANCE CLERMONT FOOT (0) 0 LYON (0) 1 Mangala 54 MARSEILLE (2) 3 LORIENT (1) 1 Aubameyang 37, 55 (pen) B Mendy 44 Gigot 42 MONTPELLIER (0) 0 MONACO (0) 2 Ouattara 53 Fofana 66 NANTES (0) 1 LILLE (2) 2 Abline 55 David 9, 12 PSG (1) 1 TOULOUSE (1) 3 Mbappe 9 Dallinga 14 Gboho 69 Magri 90 RENNES (0) 1 LENS (0) 1 Salah 83 Fulgini 49 STRASBOURG (0) 2 METZ (0) 1 Emegha 90 Mikautadze 55 Santos 90 P W D L F A Pts PSG ................... 32 20 10 2 77 32 70 Monaco ............. 33 19 7 7 64 42 64 Lille ................... 33 16 10 7 50 32 58 Brest ................. 33 16 10 7 50 34 58 Nice ................... 32 15 9 8 37 25 54 Lens .................. 33 14 8 11 43 35 50 Lyon .................. 33 15 5 13 47 54 50 Marseille ........... 32 12 11 9 50 39 47 Rennes .............. 33 12 10 11 52 44 46 Toulouse ............ 33 11 10 12 42 43 43 Reims ................ 32 11 8 13 39 46 41 Montpellier........ 33 10 11 12 41 46 40 Strasbourg ........ 33 10 9 14 37 48 39 Nantes ............... 33 9 6 18 30 51 33 Le Havre ............ 33 7 11 15 33 43 32 Metz .................. 33 8 5 20 35 56 29 Lorient .............. 33 6 8 19 38 66 26 Clermont Foot ... 33 5 10 18 26 55 25

13.05.2024 DAILY MIRROR mirror.co.uk/sport/football 3 DM1ST IN ASSOCIATION WITH WITHOUT STONES eaper? We’ll refund the difference BY NEIL McLEMAN MARCO SILVA insisted Fulham’s season has been a resounding success – especially after the £50m sale of Aleksandar Mitrovic last summer. And the Portuguese coach said: “At our best level we really were a fantastic team to watch.” The Serbian striker’s goals took the Cottagers back into the Premier League and then to a 10th-placed finish last season before he was sold to Saudi side Al-Hilal in August. The West London club now sit 14th with only one win in eight games after their final home game of a difficult campaign, while star defender Tosin Adarabioyo is now set to leave on a free transfer. But speaking after the Manchester City loss, Silva (below) said: “No doubt about it, a very good season. It’s difficult to talk about the whole season after a heavy defeat. Successful again. “If you look at all the Premier League sides in the summer, who had to sell their main striker? No one. We were not able to go in the market to replace him strongly for many reasons. “We used the players we had in our squad, we got confidence in Raul Jimenez again. A few good signings from us made an important difference in our squad, Timothy Castagne, Alex Iwobi for example. When we played at our best level, we really were a fantastic team to watch, enjoy and even myself as a manager to enjoy – I like to enjoy my own team sometimes. I will analyse as a manager with the board and the club the steps to keep improving.” SOLID SILVA SEASON FOR COTTAGERS FOUR-MIDABLE Gvardiol (top), Foden (left) and Alvarez fi re City to a big win at Craven Cottage GVARD OF HONOUR Josko Gvardiol celebrates his double which moved Man City closer to clinching the title 1-0 2-0 3-0 4-0 EARN YOUR SPURS vital with Arsenal having taken the title race to the wire with a win over Manchester United. But Guardiola said: “We are focusing on Spurs, Spurs, Spurs. We have to win our games. We know we have two games left. “If we win the two, it is six points and we are the champions. That is all we have in our heads. It is Spurs, Spurs, Spurs. And after that, if it still depends on us, it is West Ham, West Ham, West Ham.” Josko Gvardiol, who scored twice at Craven Cottage, said: “I said many times we need to focus on ourselves and keep going in that way. “[Spurs will be] another final. I played only once there and it was difficult, hopefully its going to be a good game and good day for us.” And goalkeeper Ederson added: “It [the title race] is in our hands. We have two games left and we go away again in the next game. “The team is so confident, focused and has the mentality to go again.” FROM FRONT PAGE

DAILY MIRROR 13.05.2024 4 mirror.co.uk/sport/football DM1ST IN ASSOCIATION WITH KIDS ARE ALLFRIGHT BY STEVE JUDGE NACER CHADLI believes Tottenham will be challenging for honours within the next two seasons. The former Spurs winger played under Mauricio Pochettino when the Londoners narrowly missed out on a Premier League title in 2016, the year of Leicester’s fairytale triumph. He is a big fan of the intensity Ange Postecoglou’s team shows and was also wowed by the atmosphere on his first visit to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday. Chadli, who joined West Brom in the summer of 2016 and currently plays for Belgian side Westerlo, said after the 2-1 defeat of Burnley: “They are an exciting team. “I didn’t think they played very well today but I could see the intensity was there and they got the win in the end. “I think in the next year or two they will be able to challenge (for a title), like the squad of Mauricio Pochettino. “If they can keep this dynamic and this intensity it will be great.” Chadli (below) admitted he would love to play Ange-ball in front of the giant south stand. He added: “This is the first time I’ve been here and I’ve been very impressed with how many fans there are here and the atmosphere they created. Of course I would like to play in this team, in this stadium. That’s what you live for as a player. To play in this kind of stadium. To play in big games.” CHADLI: EXCITING TIMES UNDER ANGE title), like the squad of Mauricio south stand. He added: “This is the first time I’ve been here and I’ve been very atmosphere they created. Of course I would like to play in this team, in this stadium. That’s

13.05.2024 DAILY MIRROR mirror.co.uk/sport/football 5 DM1ST IN ASSOCIATION WITH TOTTENHAM 2 BURNLEY 1 L TBY STEVE JUDGE SANDER BERGE is no Terminator – but that did not stop him insisting that Burnley “will be back” in the Premier League. The Norwegian spoke sombrely of the disappointment in the Clarets dressing room at being officially relegated. Many thought this day would have arrived much earlier, but an upturn in form and Nottingham Forest’s points deduction allowed Vincent Kompany’s side to take it to the penultimate weekend of the season (Burnley’s players dejected on Saturday, bottom). Berge (above) admitted the drive to keep fighting was inspired by the fans who have stood by them throughout a season that has delivered just five top-flight wins. He said: “I think they’ve shown the identity of the club – always fight back, be ourselves, be proud of the club we play for, wear the shirt with pride. “They set the tone every single week for us, and we go out there and try to make them proud. “It didn’t happen this year, but this club will definitely be back in the Premier League.” That belief is inspired by having the second youngest squad in the top flight and a manager in Kompany (circled) who is also still learning his trade. Berge added: “The progress that everyone made in the club, the hard work everyone has been putting in day to day, wanting to get better, wanting to get results at this level, wanting to compete with the best and that sets the standard for what’s to come. “For us it’s about every day getting better and we’ve done that. “Now it’s time to learn and reflect a little bit. “There’s still one game to go and that’s the start of building towards getting straight back up next season.” ‘FANS WILL INSPIRE US TO RETURN’ TOTTENHAM 2 they’ve shown the identity of the club – always fight back, be ourselves, be proud of the club we play for, wear the shirt with pride. week for us, and we go out there and try to make them proud. this club will definitely be back in the Premier League.” the second youngest squad in the top flight and a manager in Kompany (circled) who is also still WAGS and children on pitch after the game convinces spooked Gunners fans that bitter rivals Spurs are ready to down tools in huge City clash but Kulusevski insists: Our season isn’t finished BY STEVE JUDGE TOTTENHAM have finally done something on the pitch to unnerve their north London rivals. Arsenal fans are convinced Spurs are ready to down tools and sabotage their dream of being crowned Premier League champions after they performed a traditional end-ofseason lap of honour following Saturday’s win over relegated Burnley. Gooners were infuriated by the sight of WAGs and children joining Ange Postecoglou’s squad in seemingly celebrating being fifth when they still have two games left to play. Only one of those fixtures concerns Arsenal and their title aspirations – tomorrow’s visit of Manchester City. Even Spurs winger Dejan Kulusevski admitted it felt weird to be marking the end of the home campaign when they still have a huge fixture to fulfil. The stakes riding on the final home game for Spurs will be raised if Aston Villa fail to beat Liverpool tonight. That would open the door to Spurs snatching fourth place by beating City then Sheffield United on Sunday, while Villa lose their final game at Crystal Palace. Kulusevski said: “It was a strange feeling but it was for the kids because it was an afternoon game. But the season is not over, absolutely not.” The Swede (above) skilfully sidestepped answering if any fans had shared their thoughts on possibly handing the title to Arsenal. But he engaged with the suggestion that Spurs have exploited City’s high line in a run of four straight home league wins against Pep Guardiola’s side. Kulusevski added: “It’s a team we love playing against. We love playing against the strongest teams. So it’s going to be a nice evening. “The fact they leave spaces behind the backline is one thing, but there are many different things when you play against the best.” At least Spurs warmed up for facing the champions by en din g th e ir w orst lo si n g streak for 12 years. The victory also marked the return of James Maddison to the starting line-up a f t e r b e i n g benched for the losses at Chelsea and Liverpool. He said: “We n e e d e d a reaction after four losses. It is something a club like Tottenham should never have, four losses in a row. “We had to put it right. Now we need to finish the season strongly.” Maddison claimed an assist on Micky van de Ven’s winner but was twice denied a first home goal since October by Clarets keeper Arijanet Muric. Burnley struck first when Jacob Bruun Larsen put the finishing touches to Sander Berge’s 25th-minute pass. The Clarets were only able to hold on to the lead they needed to avoid being relegat ed for seven minutes Pedro Porro beat Muric at his near post with a fierce drive from just inside the b ox f o r t h e equaliser. But Spurs had to wait until the 83rd-minute to seal victory courtesy of Van de Ven’s low left-foot finish into the bottom left corner. Maddison added: “I wouldn’t say I had two big chances. I had one big chance. “I was quite happy with the finish because it was a good save. Maybe I could have put it more in the corner but that goal will come. “Of course we will be giving everything on Tuesday. We are professionals. The only way we can qualify for the Champions League is if we win all our games, so (helping Arsenal) that’s one for the fans to talk about, not us players.” TOTTENHAM (4-2-3-1): Vicario 6; Porro 7, Romero 7, Van de Ven 8, Skipp 6 (Dragusin 75); Bissouma 6 (Bentancur 75), Sarr 6 (Hojbjerg 87); Johnson 6, Maddison 7 (Lo Celso 88), Kulusevski 6 (Scarlett 75); Son 7 BURNLEY (4-2-3-1): Muric 8; Assingnon 6, O’Shea 7, Esteve 7, Taylor 6; Cullen 6 (Amdouni 88), Berge 7; Larsen 7 (Tresor 81), Odobert 7, Vitinho 6 (Benson 72); Foster 6 (Fofana 87) 63% POSSESSION 37% 9 SHOTS ON TARGET 3 6 SHOTS OFF TARGET 2 547 TOTAL PASSES 318 88% PASSING SUCCESS 74% 9 CORNERS 3 1 OFFSIDE 3 10 FOULS 14 0 3 CARDS 6 0 REF: Jarred Gillett ATT: 61,148 TOTTENHAM BURNLEY MICKY VAN DE VEN MAN OF THE MATCH Berge’s 25th-minute PREMIER LEAGUE Arsenal fans are convinced Spurs are ready to down tools and sabotage their dream of being after they performed a traditional end-ofseason lap of honour following Saturday’s win to Spurs snatching fourth place by beating City then Sheffield United on Sunday, while Villa lose their final game at Crystal Palace. was a strange feeling but it was for the kids ON DIFFERENT WAVELENGTHS Postecoglou and his Spurs players on a lap of honour that infuriated some Arsenal supporters

DAILY MIRROR 13.05.2024 6 mirror.co.uk/sport/football DM1ST REJECT’S ACCEPTED Hudson-Odoi strike shows his old club he’s feeling smiles better now IN ASSOCIATION WITH 32% POSSESSION 68% 4 SHOTS ON TARGET 5 11 SHOTS OFF TARGET 4 284 TOTAL PASSES 623 79% PASSING SUCCESS 91% 5 CORNERS 6 3 OFFSIDE 1 14 FOULS 8 0 2 CARDS 3 0 REF: Tony Harrington ATT: 29,708 FOREST CHELSEA COLE PALMER MAN OF THE MATCH PREMIER LEAGUE N FOREST 2 CHELSEA 3 BY IAN BAKER MAURICIO POCHETTINO reckons Chelsea should be thinking about a place in the Champions League – and the stats prove it. The Blues are in the top four based on a form table since Boxing Day. And Pochettino said: “That is why sometimes the feeling is the first 10 games we were not clinical enough in front of goal and we were performing well in some games and we didn’t win. “If we analyse the last 20-26 games, I think we should be in a position that is so close to the top four. “That is why we should give some credit sometimes to the team. We need to keep pushing and finish well and think about the season after.” This third straight win has pushed the Blues towards a place in European competition. Pochettino (above) said: “It should be really good to finish in Europe. “It would be important for the club, the players, for everyone. “Always, when the negative circumstances happen, to finish strongly in this way is going to be very good for the club to start next season.” Raheem Sterling scored his ninth of the campaign and Pochettino added: “I think he has improved a lot this season if you compare with last.” POCH HAS A EURO VISION BY IAN BAKER DEFIANT Forest fans have made their feelings about the City Ground crystal clear. Reports last week suggested the Reds had explored leaving their beloved home to move to a new 50,000-seat venue in Toton, six miles away. But supporters repeatedly demonstrated opposition to any move, singing: “Stand up for the City Ground” and “Toton’s a s***hole, we want to stay here.” Full-back Ola Aina (right) said: “I don’t know what goes on with all of that stuff but what I have experienced here is a truly great atmosphere and it’s one to be cherished. “This is a historic place that has seen many great nights, many great European nights. “I’m just glad and proud that I’ve been able to experience it. “On Saturday we heard our fans from minute one.” MOVE NOTT ON FOR OLA games, I think we should be in a position that is so close to the top four. we should give some credit sometimes to the for the City Ground” and “Toton’s a s***hole, on with all of that BY IAN BAKER CHELSEA “reject” Callum Hudson-Odoi has been backed to take the Premier League by storm with Nottingham Forest next term. The England winger thought he had mathematically secured Forest’s top-flight position with a fine goal to take a 2-1 lead on Saturday before late Blues efforts from Raheem Sterling and Nicolas Jackson turned things around. Nevertheless, Forest would need a bonkers final day to be relegated instead of Luton, with the Hatters three points behind and 12 goals worse off. But Hudson-Odoi is enjoying his football again after losing his way with Chelsea and his eight goals for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side since arriving in September for just £5m provide hope of better things to come. Even Forest fans were ironically belting out “Chelsea reject”. And team-mate Ola Aina, who also played together with Hudson-Odoi at the Blues, said: “Everyone knows he’s a fantastic player with bags of talent and he is full of confidence right now. “When he’s on it, he is a hard player to play against. “We’re just so happy he’s been in that kind of form for us towards the end of the season. He is a bargain. For him, it’s just about getting consistent game time and consistency of performances – putting a run of good games together. “He’s repaying himself, the club and the manager’s trust in him. “He’s only going to get better. It’s hard to believe he’s still only 23 because he seems to have been around for so long. “I’m excited to see what he’s capable of.” With other results on Saturday, Forest knew they only needed a point before this teatime clash. But this was a decent game, with Chelsea taking an eighthminute lead through Mykhailo Mudr yk following Cole Palmer’s fine pass before Willy Boly headed the equaliser eight minutes later. Hudson-Odoi’s stunning 74th-minute curler had Forest fans believing in victory. But sub Sterling levelled on 80 minutes before Jackson headed in two minutes later. Even defeat at Burnley next weekend will be enough for Forest providing there’s no 12- goal swing to Luton. But full-back Aina said: “We still have one game of the season left and we’ll go to Burnley now and try to get the job done. “We just can’t take our foot off the gas. We want to end the season on a high.” For Chelsea, this was another strong result and there was happiness for Reece James, who made the winner on his first appearance of 2024 following hamstring trouble. A Euro 2024 spot is unlikely but Aina said: “I know Reece really well, I’ve seen him grow up and come through the Chelsea academy. “It was great to see him out there and playing again. Hopefully he stays on the pitch for a prolonged time now.” ROLLER COASTER Hudson-Odoi (far left) puts Forest ahead before Jackson (inset bottom) and Sterling (inset top) struck for Chelsea NOTTM FOREST (5-4-1): Sels 6; Montiel 6 (Elanga 72), Boly 7, Murillo 7, Niakhate 6 (Awoniyi 87), Aina 6; Gibbs-White 7, Yates 7 (Toffolo 72), Danilo 6, HudsonOdoi 7 (Dominguez 86); Wood 6. CHELSEA (4-2-3-1): Petrovic 6; Chalobah 6, Silva 6, Badiashile 6 (Gusto 58, 6), Cucurella 6; Caicedo 6, Gallagher 6 (James 79); Madueke 6 (Nkunku 58, 6), Palmer 8, Mudryk 7 (Sterling 73); Jackson 7.

13.05.2024 DAILY MIRROR mirror.co.uk/sport/football 7 DM1ST TRIPP ADVISOR Experienced defender tells Toon that this week holds the Kie to a bright future IN ASSOCIATION WITH NEWCASTLE 1 BRIGHTON 1 NEWCASTLE (4-3-3): Dubravka 6; Livramento 6, Krafth 6, Burn 7, Hall 6 (Trippier 90); Longstaff 7 (Joelinton 68, 6), Anderson 6, Guimaraes 6; Murphy 5 (Almiron 69, 6), Isak 4 (Barnes 68, 6), Gordon 7. BRIGHTON (4-2-3-1): Verbruggen 7; Veltman 7 (Lamptey 40, 7), Webster 7, Dunk 7, Igor 6; Gross 7, Gilmour 7 (Baleba 87); Buonanotte 6 (BakerBoaitey 68, 6), Enciso 7 (Moder 68, 6), Adingra 6 (Offiah 87); Welbeck 7. BY SIMON BIRD KIERAN TRIPPIER has sounded a battle cry ahead of a massive week – warning Newcastle must get back into Europe. The prestige of the Saudi Arabia-funded relaunch of the Toon is on the line as the Geordies head for Manchester United on Wednesday night and a finale at Brentford. Their dreams of establishing themselves in the top six or seven elite permanently are on the line – and so too the ability to keep and attract the best players. Newcastle finished fourth last year, but could slip as low as eighth unless they finish with a flourish and Trippier has signalled the high stakes final week of the season. The England defender, fit to start again after a calf injury, says the Toon are ahead of schedule in their progress but in need of Europa League football. He said: “It would be massive to get back into Europe, and that would make it a great season. We have to be on that stage every season. “Without being big-headed, since I went to Tottenham I’ve been in the Europa League or Champions League. There is no better feeling. “We have to be honest and realistic. We are ahead of expectation but with that comes expectation and pressure. We have to deal with that. “It is in our hands. With the ups and downs over the course of the season, to be in the position we are in is unbelievable and we have a chance to finish higher with two wins from two. “We had that experience this year and the way the club is going we need to be in Europe a n d competing at the top of the table. Under the circumstances of what we have been through we are in a good position. “If our squad was fully fit it’d have been a different season, because injuries have been ridiculous – at one point 12-13 out.” Tr i p p i e r i s aware that Toon boss Eddie Howe will refresh his squad in the su m m e r a n d Saudi business chief and club chairman Yasir A l - R u m ay y a n was in Newcastle for the game to discuss plans. Key is keeping Alexander Isak, blunted by illness against Brighton, and Bruno Guimaraes. Callum Wilson, who was also ill, not injured, for the game, plus Trippier himself are also key figures who rivals could court for a move. Trippier added: “These are our main players and we have got to keep them if we want to move forward as a club. “Other people try to link them away. You have to forget it because internally we are not interested in it. “We have the perfect manager and ownership who want to go further.” Sean Longstaff rescued a point – ensuring United have scored in every home league game this season – after Joel Veltman’s opener for Brighton in a tight, awkward game. Trippier came on as a late sub, a relief to the watching Gareth Southgate, and he has labelled the midweek trip to Old Trafford as “massive”. He added: “My brothers will be in the Man United end, but also supporting me! It is a massive game. Two massive games left. We know what it means if we win the game. “I am fit. It is the manager’s decision. I always give everything, even on the touchline. I am ready if called on.” 56% POSSESSION 44% 7 SHOTS ON TARGET 4 5 SHOTS OFF TARGET 4 567 TOTAL PASSES 452 86% PASSING SUCCESS 84% 8 CORNERS 4 3 OFFSIDE 1 9 FOULS 16 0 3 CARDS 4 0 REF: Darren England ATT: 51,997 NEWCASTLE BRIGHTON JULIO ENCISO MAN OF THE MATCH a n d competing at the top PREMIER LEAGUE BY SIMON BIRD ROBERTO DE ZERBI has ordered Brighton to show “personality” and seal a top-half finish. The Italian (below) admits his Albion side is not functioning at their best and has set an end-of-season target. De Zerbi said: “We would like to finish in the top 10. That’s not a big result, but we played in Europe, had injuries, so finishing top 10 will be a great, great result and better than last season. “It is not the best moment of my time (at Brighton) but we have to fight with personality and I’m pleased with that.” Seagulls goalscorer Joel Veltman said: “My average is one a season, so I have it! We practised that corner on Friday. “The draw was fair. We played well defensively. Isak was not in the game, so compliments to our defence. “It is a big point at Newcastle and we want six more.” SEAGULLS SET A TOP TARGET ALEX TO NET BUMPER DEAL BY SIMON BIRD ARSENAL target Alexander Isak held talks with Newcastle’s Saudi chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan on Saturday. The £120m-rated striker was the only Newcastle star collared by PIF moneyman Al-Rumayyan (above with Isak) after the draw with Brighton. The Sweden international’s goals have earned him talks over a new contract, because he could double his money at a club in the Champions League. Al-Rumayyan, who pulls the financial strings at Newcastle, runs PIF’s Saudi state investment fund, and is boss of LIV Golf, was in town to get a review of the season and hear plans for the summer. Isak had a poor game against Brighton after suffering from illness on Friday. But Howe was pleased that the club owners, including 5.6 per cent stakeholder Amanda Staveley, were on the pitch with the players, plus their wives and kids, after the game. He said: “The big thing is you want the club to be one team and we have had that since we came here. Owners, players, staff. “It is really healthy that they come on the pitch at the end. Everyone showing their appreciation for each other.” TIME TO STEP IT UP Kieran Trippier drives his side forward as the Toon look to book a European spot again POINT WELL MADE Sean Longstaff cancels out Joel Veltman’s opener (right)

DAILY MIRROR 13.05.2024 8 mirror.co.uk/sport/football DM1ST IN ASSOCIATION WITH TAKE A YOU’RHammers star Jhe had in me... hWEST HAM 3 LUTON TOWN 1 BY MIKE WALTERS CARLTON MORRIS thanked West Ham fans for clapping doomed Luton off the pitch and admitted he was proud of the heartbroken Hatters. The pre-season favourites for relegation need a final-day miracle with a 12-goal swing to pull off the Colditz, Alcatraz and Shawshank of great escapes. But skipper Morris (top) won’t look back in anger after their getaway tunnel collapsed on the Queen Elizabeth II Olympic Park. And he gave manager Rob Edwards (circle) a glowing reference as the man to lead a renewed assault on the Championship. He said: “I can’t speak highly enough of the gaffer - I don’t envy his job at all because of the hours he works and the diligence he puts in, but that’s why he has 25 to 30 lads who are right behind him pulling in the same direction. “Last season we showed we had the unity and togetherness to get this far, and wherever we play next season we’ll be eager to show those qualities again. “As a group, these are humble lads who care about the fans and the staff – that togetherness is what got us here. “At times we’ve been in games and been done by a bit of quality late on, but in this division you get punished if you switch off for just a second. “But we’ve learned a lot, we’ve grown as players and as people, and I walked off the pitch with nothing but pride.” MORRIS TRIBUTE TO BOSS EDWARDS BY MIKE WALTERS AS a ringing endorsement of David Moyes’ reign, Jarrod Bowen’s tribute was as authentic as the Bow bells’ Cockney chimes themselves. Sluggish at first, West Ham turned Moyes’ passing-out parade into a party and left Luton Town’s tired Premier League fairytale on life support. The departing Hammers boss took over perennial relegation candidates, but after three long runs in Europe and the club’s first trophy in 43 years, his work is done. Bowen (with Moyes, left), whose last-minute winner in the Europa Conference League final 11 months ago will remain Moyes’ epitaph in the East End, said: “I don’t think he’ll ever be forgotten here.” Nobody has prospered more under Moyes than Bowen, who reeled off a shopping list of reasons to be grateful to his manager. “Scoring 20 goals this season, being player of the season, England caps, winning a trophy… none of it would havhadn’t brohe said. “He shofrom HullChampionupon for sofour years made som“What hfor itself: relegation and everysend-off h“I also khim, that hplayers wcountry. “He waswon an E58% POSSESSION 42% 8 SHOTS ON TARGET 1 9 SHOTS OFF TARGET 1 459 TOTAL PASSES 320 83% PASSING SUCCESS 78% 7 CORNERS 6 2 OFFSIDE 0 9 FOULS 15 0 1 CARDS 3 0 REF: Michael Oliver ATT: 62,500 WEST HAM LUTON MOHAMMED KUDUS MAN OF THE MATCH PREMIER LEAGUE THE EARTH MOVEBY MIKE WALTERS GEORGE EARTHY’S first senior goal was the icing on the cake for David Moyes’ farewell – and James Ward-Prowse says the teenage substitute earned it. Barely 30 seconds after springing from the bench, Earthy’s instinctive nearpost finish (right) sent Luton’s route to survival dowfirst19-yconcteamagaimonnighWwhohis fA BIG SEND-OFF Grateful Hammers fans showed their gratitude to departing boss Moyes

13.05.2024 DAILY MIRROR mirror.co.uk/sport/football 9 DM1ST FAREWELL TOUR Moyes acknowledges the fans after taking charge of his fi nal home match IN ASSOCIATION WITH BOW, BOSS... RE MOY HERO arrod: I owe the gaffer so much for faith he will never be forgotten in the East End WEST HAM (4-2-3-1): Areola 6; Coufal 7, Zouma 6, Ogbonna 7 (Casey 90), Emerson 6 (Cresswell 85); Ward-Prowse 7, Soucek 7; Bowen 7, Paqueta 6 (Ings 85), Kudus 8; Antonio 7 (Earthy 75) LUTON (3-5-2): Kaminski 6; Mengi 6, Burke 6 (Woodrow 87), Osho 5; Onyedinma 5 (Ogbene 73), Chong 6, Barkley 5 (Clark 39, 5), Lokonga 6, Doughty 6 (Berry 87); Morris 5, Adebayo 6 Everton and he said the same to me when I won my first cap – he was so chuffed for me.” Bowen, who should make the cut in England’s 26-man squad for Euro 2024, admits it will be hard to move on from Moyes when his successor takes over. Former Wolves coach Julen Lopetegui is the man waiting in the transit lounge, and Bowen said: “As tough as it sounds, you have to move on – when we came back last summer, we had to forget about winning a trophy because we had to get on with a new season. “The same applies to managers, when a new one comes through the door, you have to listen to what they want, respect their philosophy and everyone jumps on board. “It will probably be a bit weird coming ve been possible if the gaffer ught me here in the first place,” owed faith to bring me here l – signing players from the nship always seems frowned ome reason – and over the last we’ve had some great days and me great memories. he’s done for this club speaks We’ve gone from avoiding to winning a trophy in Europe, yone is happy we gave him the he deserved. know, from conversations with he takes enormous pride in his who go on to represent their s so proud when Leon Osman England cap when he was at in for pre-season and the gaffer’s not here – and I’ve only just got used to his accent!” West Ham players are planning a night out with Moyes after their thankless final game at Manchester City. But Bowen has already shared a private chat with him to acknowledge the Scot’s influence on his career, saying: “He is one of the best people that I have worked with, and I had a chat with him in the week just to say thank-you really. “I wouldn’t be here without him. I wanted to do that to show how appreciative I am and will be going on through my career. “I can’t just do it this season, I have to do it next season and the one after that.” After a poor first half, when they trailed to Sambi Lokonga’s early header and were booed off, the Hammers unfurled the bunting and goals from James Ward-Prowse, Tomas Soucek and 19-year-old George Earthy brightened the mood. Luton, by contrast, are all but down. And their body language on the final whistle had an air of resignation as they stood in front of their 2,900 travelling fans looking desolate. ES FOR TEEN STAR GEORGE wn a dead end. In his previous t-team appearance, the year-old (circle) had suffered cussion in a collision with m-mate Edson Alvarez inst Fulham last nth and spent the ht in hospital. Ward-Prowse, ose equaliser took first season’s tally at West Ham to seven goals and as many assists, said: “George deserves it because he has shown his quality in training. “And he has not been given this opportunity – he has had to work hard for it. “It is a good way for him to finish off the season.” m-mate Edson Alvarez his quality in training. “And he has not been given this opportunity – he has had to work hard for it. for him to finish off the season.”

DAILY MIRROR 13.05.2024 10 mirror.co.uk/sport/football DM1ST IN ASSOCIATION WITH EAGLES EYED Andersen is hoping wanted pair do not take flight Use code 10BOSCH at checkout ENDS SUNDAY 19TH MAY! ALL BOSCH 10% OFF The following terms and conditions apply in addition to Screwfi x’s standard terms and conditions for the sale of goods, as amended from time to time (see: www.screwfi x.com/help/termsandconditions). When you redeem this 10% discount code (“Code”), you are deemed to accept these terms and conditions. This Code is redeemable on any Bosch product ordered before 23:59 GMT on 19/05/2024 and cannot be used after this date. Purchase necessary, no minimum spend required and the Code can be redeemed on multiple orders. Subject to availability. Give the Code “10BOSCH” to the store assistant at the till or add the Code to the checkout page on the web or on the Screwfi x app, for the discount to be applied. The Code is non-transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash, credit, or gift cards, or used in conjunction with any other promotion. The Code is available to all residents of Great Britain and Northern Ireland who are aged 18 years and over, except employees of Screwfi x, their immediate families or anyone professionally associated with Screwfi x. Delivery charges and restrictions may apply – see www.screwfi x.com/delivery. BY DAVE ARMITAGE WOLVES boss Gary O’Neil says his side’s end-of-season collapse will force him to have a busy summer. Just one win in 10 games has cast a black cloud over a campaign that not so long ago threatened to put them in the shake-up for European football next season. Crystal Palace’s win saw them leapfrog Wolves in the table and O’Neil (right) said: “I’m just disappointed we’ve had to crawl towards the line when we wanted to go crashing through it and finish with some momentum. “It’s difficult to feel the positives at this moment, but if you take things as a whole, it’s been a great season.” O’Neil added: “The way it’s ended has been disappointing for everyone but there’s been some reasons that are clear to me and I’m going to spend the next six or seven weeks making sure we’re ready for next season. “We’ve made strides but it doesn’t mean much to me because we are now looking like we’re struggling and we’re going to have to find some solutions over the summer. “There’s an awful lot of work that needs to be done to get ourselves ready for next season.” GARY’S SUMMER REBUILD BY DAVE ARMITAGE JOACHIM ANDERSEN is praying Crystal Palace’s young Eagles aren’t about to fly the nest. Danish international and skipper Andersen is loving every bit of what’s happening right now and doesn’t want to see a multi-million pound summer sell-off. Palace are in relentless form right now with five wins in their last six games – all against teams above them in the table. But Palace’s grandstand finish under new boss Oliver Glasner is in danger of being overshadowed by the looming threat of a mass postseason sale. Manchester United and Chelsea head a list of clubs who would take Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze in an instant. Both could be available for around the £60m mark, which would represent unbelievable value in the current market. And England international defender Marc Guehi, midfielder Adam Wharton and Andersen aren’t short of admirers willing to fork out big money to nab them. Andersen said: “Obviously there will be interest this summer but we want to keep our best players. “Hopefully they will see that the future is bright here and this is a place where they can improve and take their game on to the next level. “We will just have to see what the summer brings and take it from there, but there is a real excitement about what we are doing.” Transfer fever is expected to centre around Olise and Eze, who are really putting the frighteners on teams. Olise opened the scoring in the 26th minute with a beautiful curling shot to make it double figures for the season. Andersen added: “He’s a crazy player and we’re lucky to have him. Imagine if he had played all 37 games. He would have scored 20-25 goals.” Three minutes later Jean-Philippe Mateta blasted home a second from close range after seizing on a Nathaniel Clyne shot which had rebounded out off the post. Wolves looked in danger of being swamped. Boss Gary O’Neil shuffled things around and in the 67th minute must have been close to fainting when Wolves got the benefit of a VAR decision. Matheus Cunha’s goal was given the thumbs up with Hee-chan Hwang judged not to be offside and Wolves sniffed a chance of getting something from a game which had looked well beyond them. That was soon extinguished when Eze raced onto a sublime defencesplitting pass from Olise, rounded the keeper and slipped the ball home. But it wasn’t all milk and honey for Glasner’s boys. They had to reshuffle after Will Hughes limped off after 14 minutes and they were forced to see out the game with 10 men after Naouirou Ahamada was sent off for a second yellow card. WOLVES 1 PALACE 3 WOLVES (3-5-2): Bentley 5; Lemina 5, Kilman 5, Toti 5 (Gonzalez 90); Doherty 5 (Doyle 80), Gomes 5, Traore 4 (Bellegarde 46, 5), Ait-Nouri 5 (Sarabia 61, 5), Semedo 5; Cunha 6, Hwang 5. CRYSTAL PALACE (3-4-3): Henderson 7; Clyne 7, Andersen 7, Richards 7; Munoz 7, Hughes (Ahamada 14, 6), Wharton 7, Mitchell 7 (Guehi 69, 5); Olise 9 (Schlupp 88), Mateta 8 (Edouard 69, 5), Eze 8 (Ward 88). 62% POSSESSION 38% 8 SHOTS ON TARGET 3 3 SHOTS OFF TARGET 6 545 TOTAL PASSES 345 83% PASSING SUCCESS 73% 8 CORNERS 3 3 OFFSIDE 5 13 FOULS 12 0 3 CARDS 3 1 REF: Tom Bramall ATT: 31,424 WOLVES PALACE MICHAEL OLISE MAN OF THE MATCH PREMIER LEAGUE JUST TOO EZE Eberechi Eze takes the acclaim of the away fans and (below) Andersen

13.05.2024 DAILY MIRROR mirror.co.uk/sport/football 11 DM1ST IN ASSOCIATION WITH 777 AND HELL Takeover trouble takes the edge off closing victory at Goodison 58% POSSESSION 42% 6 SHOTS ON TARGET 1 6 SHOTS OFF TARGET 6 500 TOTAL PASSES 362 84% PASSING SUCCESS 79% 3 CORNERS 6 3 OFFSIDE 0 6 FOULS 11 0 1 CARDS 3 0 REF: Stuart Attwell ATT: 39,221 EVERTON SHEFF UTD DOMINIC CALVERT-LEWIN MAN OF THE MATCH PREMIER LEAGUE BY DAVID ANDERSON EVEN though the skies over Goodison Park were clear and blue, the storm clouds are gathering. And Abdoulaye Doucoure claims Everton need stability as 777 Partners’ draw n-out t ake o v er threatens to unravel. Owner Farhad Moshiri is looking at alternative buyers as doubts grow over 777’s ability to seal the deal – and the Premier League certainly isn’t convinced after eight months of stalemate. Doucoure says manager Sean Dyche and his players ignored the “outside noise”, as he calls it, to guide the Blues to safety, over coming their eightpoint deduction. The uncertainty is only growing, despite their magnificent success, and director of football Kevin Thelwell admits some players may have to be sold this summer to keep the club afloat. Doucoure, who netted his seventh goal of the season against Sheffield United, says the players want the club’s future resolved. “Obviously we want more stability in the club and as a player I just want to enjoy it, play free and win games,” said Doucoure. “I think we did very well from that point of view. “Obviously there was a lot of noise outside the club, but between the players, we just wanted to focus on the pitch and I think we did really well. “We stick together. We knew we needed a strong group to stay in the Premier League, like we had last season. “They were different circumstances to last season, but I think we worked very hard to get over the line again. “As a player you just want to have stability. You want to enjoy your football, come back for preseason very strong and keep winning games.” Dyche, who deservedly won April’s Manager of the Month award, and his players continue to operate in a vacuum and Doucoure says no one has spoken to them about the future since they secured top-flight football a fortnight ago. Dyche (above) continues to work his magic and Everton’s fifth successive home win without conceding means they have beaten their last two seasons’ points totals, despite their deduction. This win over the Blades will not live long in the memory and Doucoure made up for missing a fine chance by nodding home a cross from the excellent Dominic Calvert-Lewin. The Mali midfielder agreed a contract extension until the end of next season in November and although he wants to stay, he knows talks may have to go on the back burner because of more pressing issues. “From my point of view, I’m very happy,” he added. “I just signed a new deal, so I think my situation is not the priority now. I’m very secure here.” Dyche wants to keep Jack Harrison, who has scored four goals and contributed three assists, and the winger, who is out with a hamstring injury, is due to return to Leeds when his loan expires. The club also want to agree new terms with outof-contract captain Seamus Coleman, who has made most Premier League appearances for the Toffees with 363. Coleman, 35, impressed against the Blades and Dyche says the club must weigh up all contract talks. “We’re waiting to see on a lot,” he said. “The first thing was to ensure we were safe and then we can re-evaluate where the truth of it is, the financial side of what we can do.” EVERTON (4-4-1-1): Pickford 6; Coleman 7, Tarkowski 7, Branthwaite 6, Young 6; Garner 6, Gueye 6, Onana 7, McNeil 6 (Gomes 68, 6, Warrington 90); Doucoure 7 (Dobbin 68, 6); Calvert-Lewin 8 (Chermiti 79). SHEFFIELD UNITED (3-5-2): Foderingham 6; Robinson 6, Trusty 6, Souza 5; Bogle 5, Hamer 7, Arblaster 5 (Curtis 62, 5), Brooks 5 (Slimane 55, 4), Larouci 5 (Lowe 55, 6); Brereton Diaz 5, Archer 6 (Brewster 80). EVERTON 1 SHEFF UTD 0 BY DAVID ANDERSON CHRIS WILDER has challenged his Sheffield United players to earn their fans’ support next season. The Blades faithful gave their relegated side tremendous backing at Goodison Park and stayed behind to applaud them after the final whistle of their sixth successive defeat. Wilder (above) sent his players over to thank them and says they must give them something to celebrate after recording just 16 points, the Premier League’s third-lowest total ever. “In the position we’re in, against a team who are on a good run, we should have rewarded our supporters with a result,” said the Blades boss. “It’s the same. I’m dealing with the same characters, so that has to change, something has to change from that point of view, which it will do. “We will, next year, when we go away, those supporters won’t be singing out of pride in their football club. “They’ll be singing out of pride for that team that goes out there and represents them, getting the results they deserve and what we should be getting as a football club.” CHRIS FAN-ATIC ABOUT FUTURE BY DAVID ANDERSON ABDOULAYE DOUCOURE claims clean-sheet king Jordan Pickford has saved Everton this season. Pickford (below) notched up his 13th shut-out of the campaign against Sheffield United and only the Premier League’s Golden Glove winner David Raya can top that. The England No.1’s experience has been invaluable in an extremely difficult season for Everton and Doucoure says the players are delighted to have him. “Jordan has been very important,” he said. “In a couple of games he’s saved us. I’m very happy for him to have some clean sheets and very happy to have him in the team.” Sean Dyche is also pleased to have Pickford and says he is helped by the defenders in front of him. “He’s done great, but I’ve got to be honest, I’ll be looking at the team in front of him and saying, ‘These are hardy lads’,” said the Toffees boss. “At Luton, I didn’t think we played well with the ball, but without the ball, fantastic. People just throwing their bodies, defending to keep the ball away from Jordan and when he’s needed, I think he’s delivered very good performances. “He certainly deserves credit, but there’s a lot of work in front of him and he appreciates that.” PICKFORD IS JUST AB FAB THE HEAD BOY Abdoulaye Doucoure nods in the winner for Everton in the fi rst half

DAILY MIRROR 13.05.2024 12 mirror.co.uk/sport/football DM1ST IN ASSOCIATION WITH EUR THE MAN 18V Brushless Cordless Combi Drill 2 x 2.0Ah Li-Ion Batteries 35min Charge Time Max. Torque: 45Nm CODE: 900GL £ 99.99 Was £149.99 £ 50 SAVE £ 24.99 ADD THIS Drilling & Screwdriving Set 103 Pieces CODE: 2033T Prices valid until at least 02/06/2024. Subject to availability. Prices includes VAT at 20% (unless stated otherwise and subject to change in taxation). Prices are correct at time of print. Delivery charges and restrictions may apply – see Screwfix.com/delivery. All ratings information is available at Screwfix.com/help/rateandreview. See Screwfix.com/termsandconditions for standard T&C’s. Boss Frank backs ‘fresh’ Toney for a spot in Southgate’s squad BY GRAHAM THOMAS DUTCH legend Patrick Kluivert played at three European Championships for the Netherlands – and his son Justin hopes to follow in his footsteps this summer. Kluivert junior has been one of the key reasons for Bournemouth’s eye-catching season that may yet give them a top-half finish. The 25-year-old winger has played 35 games for the Cherries, scored nine goals, and provides a creative force around the box. But those skills have been strangely ignored by Netherlands bosses since he was given two caps as a teenager six years ago. “I haven’t heard from the Netherlands, but I still have hope,” said Kluivert (right). “It’s the most beautiful thing to do – to play for your country. “If they need me, I will be there. If not, then I will take some time off and come back fresh for Bournemouth. If I am not involved, I will just have to watch it on TV. “I think Holland will do very well. A lot of players were injured, but they are coming back and with everybody fit, I think our chances of doing well are very good.” A final day win or draw at Chelsea could nudge Bournemouth into the top 10 and Kluivert added: “We still have one game left and that’s our goal. We have to give it our all.” KLUIVERT: I’LL NETHER GIVE UP LION IN WAIT Toney should be in the Euros squad according to his club boss Frank BY GRAHAM THOMAS THOMAS FRANK admits his argument for England taking Ivan Toney to the Euros is based more on gut instinct than sound logic. Because a quick peep at the form guide would show the Brentford striker is without any. No goals in his last 11 matches for his club is hardly a persuasive argum ent for Gareth Southgate to find room in his 26-man squad for Toney. Ollie Watkins has five in the same stretch for Aston Villa, while Dominic Solanke’s equaliser for Bournemouth against the Bees also made it five. But whilst admitting loyalty to Toney taints his verdict, Brentford boss Frank (circled) insists freshness may be a more important quality in Germany than recent strike rate. “Sometimes, when players are scoring a lot of goals they can’t perform in the Euros because they are exhausted and we’ve seen that before,” said the Danish manager. “Hey, I am not a head coach of a national team but there’s a lot of aspects to consider. I would take Ivan because I think he has something they don’t have in the England squad. “In my opinion , looking in from the outside, you need to be fit and you need to be performing at a good level. “Ivan took another step forward today in many ways. He was stronger in his duels and had better key moments. I think he can still be picked for England.” Toney did seem to have recaptured his physical edge as he clattered into Bournemouth’s defenders, even if his scoring touch has deserted him. That knack was there in January – when he returned from his eight-month ban for betting offences – proven by four goals in five games. It may have returned had VAR not changed a penalty decision given when Toney was sent tumbling at 0-0. Once he was denied his spot-kick, it needed the arrival of substitute Yoane Wissa to spark Brentford. Wissa set up Bryan Mbeumo for the late opening goal and then Mbeumo repaid his debt by working Wissa in for an emphatically-finished winner. In between, Solanke reminded Southgate of his ability with a skillfully headed goal that made it 1-1. To be fair to Frank, he recognises Solanke’s quality – even if he is a rival to Toney’s summer ambition – and admitted he has had a “good season”. Frank’s generosity is one measure of the man. Another was the way his players embraced him when they took the lead, in recognition of his devotion to the collective cause just one day after the death of his own father, Preben. BOURNEMOUTH 1 BRENTFORD 2 48% POSSESSION 52% 4 SHOTS ON TARGET 5 7 SHOTS OFF TARGET 2 367 TOTAL PASSES 388 74% PASSING SUCCESS 76% 3 CORNERS 8 1 OFFSIDE 0 16 FOULS 12 0 3 CARDS 2 0 REF: Matthew Donohue ATT: 11,154 BOURNEMOUTH BRENTFORD YOANE WISSA MAN OF THE MATCH the lead, in recognition of his devotion PREMIER LEAGUE BOURNEMOUTH (4-2-3-1): Travers 7; Smith 6 (Adams 80), Zabarnyi 7, Senesi 7, Kelly 6; Cook 6, Christie 6 (Scott 80); Semenyo 7, Kluivert 6 (Unal 66, 6), Ouattara 5 (Tavernier 66, 6); Solanke 7 BRENTFORD (4-3-3): Flekken 7; Ajer 6 (Roerslev 62, 6), Collins 6, Pinnock 7, Reguilon 6; Damsgaard 7 (Schade 74), Norgaard 6 (Jensen 62, 6), Janelt 6, (Yarmoliuk 84); Mbeumo 7, Toney 6, Lewis-Potter 6 (Wissa 62, 8) No goals in his last 11 matches for his club is hardly a persuasive argum ent for Gareth the same stretch for Aston Villa, while Dominic Solanke’s equaliser for Bournemouth when Toney was sent tumbling at 0-0. Once he was denied his spot-kick, it needed the arrival of substitute Yoane Wissa to Mbeumo for the late opening goal and then Mbeumo repaid his debt by working Wissa in for

13.05.2024 DAILY MIRROR mirror.co.uk/sport/football 13 DM1ST IN ASSOCIATION WITH CLOSE CALL Firpo’s ‘goal’ for Leeds was narrowly ruled out for ofi side ALL TO PLAY FERR Elf ‘n’ safety first as film star Will’s new team Leeds settle for play-off draw build-up. Norwich boss David Wagner, who led Huddersfield to play-off glory in 2017 after penalty shootouts against both Sheffield Wednesday and Reading, said: “Both teams neutralised each other but I’m absolutely fine with what I’ve seen. “All our cards are still on the table and there are no secrets between them and us. “There doesn’t have to be an advantage to playing the second leg at home because the expectation is greater.” Asked whether he will be practising penalties ahead of the return leg at Elland Road, Wagner said: “Everyone knows that penalties played a big part for me in my previous experience of the play-offs. “This is no secret, it’s a fact – now it’s up to us to make it count.” games of the regular season were not great because we conceded way too many goals, but today we were rock solid.” In a febrile atmosphere at sold-out Letsby Avenue, the Canaries’ best chances fell to Josh Sargent (below), who headed wastefully wide, and Gabriel Sara, who shovelled his shot off-target although D i m i t r i s G i a n n o u l i s appeared miles offside in the already during the season with offside goals and penalties not given. “If we would have used VAR during this season we wouldn’t be in the play-of fs – we w o u l d h a v e b e e n p r o m o t e d automatically. “I’m pretty annoyed – it definitely wasn’t offside. We should go with the rule that, when in doubt, you give the benefit to the attacking side. “Everyone speaks about what these games are worth, so the decisions have to be right. Perhaps the whole stadium would be moaning if he gave it to the away side, but I have to make sure I’m not raging too much. “Overall I’m happy with a draw and a clean sheet – the last few odds yet. Leeds have never been promoted via the play-offs after losing two f i n a l s ( a g a i n s t W a t f o r d a n d Doncaster), two semi-finals (against Millwall and Derby) and the inaugural high-wire joust with Charlton 37 years ago. Farke (left), who twice led N o r w i c h t o t h e Championship title, was warmly applauded by both sets of fans afterwards. But he was narked when Junior Firpo’s ‘goal’ was disallowed after half an hour for a marginal offside call against Georginio Rutter. The Leeds boss scowled: “I expect myself to be spot-on with my decisions when there is so much at stake. “If you want to be in charge of such a (big) game, you have to do the same if you are an official. I have 12 apologising letters at home BY MIKE WALTERS DANIEL FARKE celebrated Hollywood star Will Ferrell’s big investment in Leeds with a classic demonstration of Elf ’n’ safety. Goalless scuffles with £200million of promotion loot on the line are rarely the s t u f f o f r i v e t i n g entertainment, but a textbook shut-out on his old stomping ground was music to Farke’s eyes and ears. And with Ferrell (circled) – who played the title role in hit Christmas movie Elf – on the way to the boardroom at Elland Road, Leeds will be favourites to reach Wembley. But Farke isn’t shouting the NORWICH 0 LEEDS 0 Championship play-off semi-fi nal penalties not given. used VAR during w o u l d h a v e b e e n p r o m o t e d play-offs after losing two f i n a l s ( a g a i n s t W a t f o r d a n d and the inaugural high-wire joust with 40% POSSESSION 60% 1 SHOTS ON TARGET 2 5 SHOTS OFF TARGET 2 4 CORNERS 4 1 OFFSIDE 3 10 FOULS 17 0 3 CARDS 1 0 MATCH STATS REF: Josh Smith ATT: 26,982 NORWICH LEEDS CHAMPIONSHIP NORWICH: Gunn 6, Stacey 8, Duffy 5, Gibson 6, Giannoulis 6 (McCallum 75), Nunez 6, McLean 6, Sara 6, Rowe 7 (Fassnacht 60, 6), Sainz 7, Sargent 5 (Van Hooijdonk 84) LEEDS: Meslier 6, Bryam 6, Rodon 7, Ampadu 8, Firpo 6, Gruev 6, Kamara 8, Gnonto 6 (Anthony 71), Gray 8, Summerville 6 (James 87), Rutter 5 (Piroe 71)

DAILY MIRROR 13.05.2024 14 mirror.co.uk/sport/football DM1ST IN ASSOCIATION WITH IT SAINT HALF HOT Martin chills out as Hawthorns tie fails to come to the boil ARM AND A FIRST LEG Southampton’s Adam Armstrong cannot fi nd a way past Alex Palmer WEST BROM 0 SOUTHAMPTON 0 Championship play-off semi-fi nal 37% POSSESSION 63% 2 SHOTS ON TARGET 3 8 SHOTS OFF TARGET 6 7 CORNERS 8 1 OFFSIDE 5 8 FOULS 9 0 1 CARDS 2 0 MATCH STATS REF: Sam Barrott ATT: 25,367 WEST BROM SOUTHAMPTON CHAMPIONSHIP WEST BROM (4-2-3-1): Palmer 7; Furlong 6, Kipre 6, Bartley 6, Townsend 6 (Reach 90); Yokuslu 6 (Ajayi 80), Mowatt 6; Diangana 5, Johnston 6 (M’Vila 80), Fellows 8 (Swift 80); Thomas-Asante 5 (Wallace 80). SOUTHAMPTON (3-4-3): McCarthy 6; Stephens 6, Bednarek 6, Harwood-Bellis 6; Walker-Peters 6, Smallbone 5, Downes 7, Manning 5 (Fraser 70, 5); Mara 6 (Brooks 70, 6), Aribo 5, Armstrong 5 (Stewart 70, 5). MOTM TOM FELLOWS (WBA) THE HEAT will be on for the second leg at St Mary’s – but Russell Martin hopes it isn’t so. A sweltering, sticky afternoon in the West Midlands ended with honours even after a cagey affair. But Saints midfielder Flynn Downes complained afterwards he could “hardly breathe” for the first half hour – and his boss is hoping for a cooler night in the decider this Friday. Martin said: “I don’t think you can underestimate the effect of the heat – it was hot out there, when you have tension, your legs feel heavy and the sun’s out. “When both sets of players came over for the drinks break, they were feeling it. “I was sweating just watching it on the sidelines. But I don’t recall too many semifinals or finals that aren’t played in that. I played in one like it. “It’s supposed to be a bit cooler this week, isn’t it? I hope so.” It was a tight, tense encounter, with just four big chances being shared between the two. West Brom flew out of the blocks but Saints carved out the first clear opportunity. Tom Fellows, who looks a menace, was robbed by Downes and one quick give and go later, the Saints midfielder found himself staring down Alex Palmer, only for the shotstopper to block. Fellows almost redeemed himself not long afterwards – his favourite step-over was followed by a deep cross that Grady Diangana met. Alex McCarthy was equal to it and Downes cleared. That was it until young Baggies winger Fellows gambled again with 13 minutes to go, sparking 60 seconds of genuine goalmouth excitement that the game was crying out for. He cut in from the right, pulling the ball back to Diangana, who again found McCarthy blocking his path to goal. With the cries from the Baggies supporters still in their throats, the ball was worked up to the other end of the pitch. Substitute Ross Stewart tried his luck from outside the area. The ball took a nick off the thigh of home skipper Kyle Bartley and Palmer, who had committed himself to a dive, stuck out a leg more in hope than expectation. The ball cannoned into his limb and away to safety. West Brom boss Carlos Corberan answered questions about the temperature with a smile, saying: “I’m from Spain, so I quite enjoyed it.” But he also admitted the tie was finely poised. He added: “It’s very equally balanced. It was a difficult game, as you would expect. “Maybe it could have been 0-0 doesn’t reflect the game we have played – it could have been 1-1 or even 2-2. “It’s still a massive opportunity for us to get to Wembley. “There are no easy challenges in football, but the one we face on Friday will be the toughest one yet.” DRINKING IT IN Saints players cool off and (right) Alex Mowatt takes drastic measures

13.05.2024 DAILY MIRROR mirror.co.uk/sport/football 15 DM1ST IN ASSOCIATION WITH BREN: MAKE IT A DOUBLE Old Firm win moves Bhoys closer to title BRENDAN RODGERS is determined to finish the most challenging season of his career with a double. Rodgers is on the brink of clinching the first silverware of his second spell at Celtic after his side beat Rangers 2-1 to move six points, and seven goals, clear of their rivals in the Premiership with just two games remaining. Matt O’Riley’s strike sparked a manic 10-minute period late in the first half which saw John Lundstram score an own goal and receive a red card and Cyriel Dessers head one back. A third consecutive title looks secure after a season in which the lead has switched from Celtic to Rangers and back again. “Having had success here before, I know what the third season brings,” Rodgers said. “We created history with a double treble. Then that third season the mentality became a real challenge. “I was coming into that third season with the team having won five trophies out of six. A lot of the players I hadn’t worked with before so they didn’t know me and I didn’t know them. “So that, added to the injuries we’ve had, made it a real challenge from a management perspective because they are used to winning. “But I’ve never ever doubted, since I’ve been a young coach, the process. And I felt that if we just kept chipping away, the guys would come back at some point. We just had to keep believing and working hard. “There is no doubt that it’s been probably the most challenging season I’ve had as a manager but we need to finish it well now – that’s the plan.” Pressure is mounting on Hibernian boss Nick Montgomery after his side slipped to ninth following a limp 4-0 defeat at home to resurgent Aberdeen. Leighton Clarkson, Dante Polvara, Bojan Miovski and 16-year-old debutant Fletcher Boyd were all on target as the Dons made it seven league games in a row unbeaten and three victories on the spin since the Premiership split. SCOTLAND SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP P W D L F A Pts Celtic 36 27 6 3 87 28 87 Rangers 36 26 3 7 79 27 81 Hearts 36 20 6 10 49 37 66 Kilmarnock 36 14 13 9 45 38 55 St Mirren 36 13 7 16 42 47 46 Dundee 36 10 11 15 46 62 41 Aberdeen 36 11 11 14 41 49 44 Motherwell 36 10 13 13 55 54 43 Hibernian 36 10 12 14 48 58 42 Ross County 36 8 9 19 35 64 33 St Johnstone 36 7 10 19 26 52 31 Livingston 36 5 9 22 27 64 24 CELTIC (2) 2 RANGERS (1) 1 O’Riley 35 Dessers 40 Lundstram 38 (og) HEARTS (1) 3 DUNDEE (0) 0 Vargas 35 Forrest 53 Shankland 90 Att: 18,757 LIVINGSTON (0) 2 ST JOHNSTONE (1) 1 Montano 72 Sidibeh 8 Shinnie 90 ROSS COUNTY (1) 1 MOTHERWELL (2) 5 Murray 14 Spittal 8, 82 Att: 3,399 McGinn 40 Zdravkovski 90 Paton 90 ST MIRREN (0) 0 KILMARNOCK (1) 1 Vassell 37 Att: 7,645 HIBERNIAN (0) 0 ABERDEEN (2) 4 Clarkson 30, Polvara 39 Miovski 52 Boyd 90 SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP PLAY-OFF QUARTER-FINAL SECOND LEG PARTICK (1) 2 AIRDRIEONIANS (0) 1 Graham 18, 47 Lyall 55 (Agg 4-3) Att: 6,531 CHAMPIONSHIP PLAY-OFF SEMIFINAL SECOND LEG HAMILTON (2) 3 ALLOA (1) 2 Tumilty 18 Coulson 7 L Smith 43 Sammon 57 Rose 77 (Agg 5-4) INVERNESS CT (0) 1 MONTROSE (0) 0 McKay 59 Att: 2,089 (Agg 1-0) SCOTTISH LEAGUE ONE PLAY-OFF SEMI-FINAL SECOND LEG PETERHEAD (0) 1 SPARTANS (2) 5 D Strachan 66 Russell 3 (Agg 2-7) Henderson 30, 68 (pen), 78 Whyte 62 Att: 947 STIRLING (0) 0 DUMBARTON (0) 0 (Agg 1-2) Att: 1,087 LEAGUE TWO PLAY-OFF FINAL FIRST LEG EAST KILBRIDE (1) 2 STRANRAER (1)2 Stirling 32 McIntosh 45 Robertson 71 Ross 60 JOLLY RODGERS The happy Celtic boss is all smiles as his side close in on a trophy double 1-2-X CHECK POOLS NUMBER FULL TIME 1 1a 2 1 3 1a 4 3 5 1a 6 1 7 1 8 1a 9 1 10 1a 11 1 12 1a 13 1a 14 3 15 1 16 1 17 1a 18 L 19 L 20 1 21 1 22 L 23 1 24 L 25 1 26 1a 27 1a 28 1 29 3 30 L 31 1a 32 1 33 3 34 1 35 3 36 L 37 L 38 L 39 L 40 L 41 1 42 1 43 3 44 1a 45 1a 46 1a 47 1 48 1a 49 3 TOP SCORERS PREMIER LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP LEAGUE ONE LEAGUE TWO Haaland (Man City) ......... 25 Palmer (Chelsea).............. 21 Isak (Newcastle) .............. 20 Solanke (Bournemouth) 19 Watkins (Aston Villa)....... 19 May (Charlton) ................. 23 Bishop (Portsmouth) ...... 21 Cole (Barnsley) ................. 18 Reid (Stevenage) .............. 18 Martin (Bristol Rovers) ... 16 Szmodics (Blackburn) ....27 Armstrong (Southampton) 21 Summerville (Leeds) ...... 19 Whittaker (Plymouth) ..... 19 Vardy (Leicester).............. 18 Langstaff (Notts County)..28 Smith (Salford City) .........24 Mullin (Wrexham) .............24 Keillor-Dunn (Mansfield) 22 Evans (Newport County) 21 Shankland (Hearts) ........ 22 Tavernier (Rangers) .........17 Miovski (Aberdeen) ......... 15 Dessers (Rangers) ........... 15 O’Riley (Celtic) .................. 15 SCOTTISH PREM NORWICH (0) 0 LEEDS (0) 0 ATT: 26,982 Norwich: Gunn, Stacey, Duffy, Gibson, Giannoulis (McCallum 75), Nunez, McLean, Rowe (Fassnacht 60), Gabriel Sara, Sainz, Sargent (van Hooijdonk 84). Subs not used: Hanley, Long, Sorensen, Batth, Fisher, Welch. Booked: Duffy 51, Giannoulis 54, Fassnacht 66. Leeds: Meslier, Byram, Rodon, Ampadu, Firpo, Kamara, Gruev, Gnonto (Anthony 70), Gray, Summerville (James 87), Rutter (Piroe 70). Subs not used: Cresswell, Cooper, Shackleton, Darlow, Roberts, Fernandez. Booked: Gnonto 45. Ref: Josh Smith. WEST BROM (0) 0 SOUTHAMPTON (0) 0 ATT: 25,367 West Brom: Palmer, Furlong, Bartley, Kipre, Townsend (Reach 90), Yokuslu (Ajayi 81), Mowatt, Fellows (Wallace 82), Diangana, Johnston (M’Vila 81), Thomas-Asante (Swift 81). Subs not used: Phillips, Chalobah, Weimann, Griffi ths. Booked: Johnston 56. Southampton: McCarthy, Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Stephens, Walker-Peters, Smallbone, Downes, Aribo, Manning (Fraser 72), Armstrong (Stewart 72), Mara (Brooks 71). Subs not used: Lumley, Bree, Rothwell, Sulemana, Edozie, Charles. Booked: Downes 36, Harwood-Bellis 73. Ref: Sam Barrott. CHAMPIONSHIP PLAY-OFFS SEMI-FINAL FIRST LEG Chelsea v Bournemouth (4) Crystal Palace v Aston Villa (4) Liverpool v Wolves (4) Luton v Fulham (4) Man City v West Ham (4) Sheff Utd v Tottenham (4) Sky Bet League Two - Play-Off Final Crewe v Crawley (at Wembley). inch Scottish Premiership Livingston v Hibernian Motherwell v St Johnstone Ross County v Aberdeen WEDNESDAY 22 MAY Friendly Match Newcastle v Tottenham (10.45am) THURSDAY 23 MAY cinch Scottish Premiership - play-off final, first leg TBC v 11th in Premiership (8) Tottenham v West Ham cinch Scottish Premiership Celtic v St Mirren (12.30) Dundee v Kilmarnock (12.30) Hearts v Rangers (12.30) cinch Scottish Championship - play-off final, Second leg Inverness v Hamilton (5.30) cinch Scottish League 2 Play-Off Final Second Leg Stranraer (2) v East Kilbride (2) SUNDAY Premier League Arsenal v Everton (4) Brentford v Newcastle (4) Brighton v Man Utd (4) Burnley v Nottm Forest (4) cinch Scottish Premiership - Play-off semi-final, 2nd leg Raith v Partick. cinch Scottish League 1 - Play-off final, second leg Spartans v Dumbarton (7.30). (3 unless stated) SATURDAY Sky Bet League One Play-Off Final Bolton v Oxford Utd (4.15) FA Women’s Super League Arsenal v Brighton Aston Villa v Man City Bristol City v Everton Leicester v Liverpool FC Man Utd v Chelsea cinch Scottish Premiership Aberdeen v Livingston Hibernian v Motherwell Kilmarnock v Celtic (7.30) St Johnstone v Ross County St Mirren v Hearts cinch Scottish Championship - Play-off final, first leg Hamilton v Inverness (8.05). THURSDAY Sky Bet Championship PlayOffs Semi-Final Second leg Leeds (0) v Norwich (0) (8) FRIDAY Sky Bet Championship PlayOffs Semi-Final Second leg S’hampton (0) v W Brom (0) (8) (7.45 unless stated) TODAY Premier League Aston Villa v Liverpool (8) TUESDAY Premier League Tottenham v Man City (8) cinch Scottish Premiership Rangers v Dundee (7.30) cinch Scottish Premiership - Play-off semi-final, first leg Partick v Raith cinch Scottish League 1 - Play-off final, first leg Dumbarton v Spartans (7.30) WEDNESDAY Premier League Brighton v Chelsea Man Utd v Newcastle (8) FA Women’s Super League Tottenham v Chelsea (7.15) THE WEEK AHEAD BOURNEMOUTH (0) 1 BRENTFORD (0) 2 Solanke 89 Mbeumo 86 ATT: 11,154 Wissa 90 EVERTON (1) 1 SHEFF UTD (0) 0 Doucoure 31 ATT: 39,221 FULHAM (0) 0 MAN CITY (1) 4 ATT: 24,418 Gvardiol 13, 71 Foden 59 Alvarez 90 (pen) NEWCASTLE (1) 1 BRIGHTON (1) 1 Longstafi 45 Veltman 18 ATT: 51,997 NOTTM FOREST (1) 2 CHELSEA (1) 3 Boly 16 Mudryk 8 Hudson-Odoi 74 Sterling 80 ATT: 29,708 Jackson 82 TOTTENHAM (1) 2 BURNLEY (1) 1 Porro 32 Bruun Larsen 25 van de Ven 82 ATT: 61,148 WEST HAM (0) 3 LUTON (1) 1 Ward-Prowse 54 Sambi Lokonga 6 Soucek 65, Earthy 76 WOLVES (0) 1 CRYSTAL PALACE (2) 3 Matheus Cunha 66 Olise 26, Mateta 28 ATT: 31,424 Eze 73 MAN UTD (0) 0 ARSENAL (1) 1 Trossard 21 ATT: 73,600 HOME AWAY P W D L F A W D L F A Pts Arsenal 37 14 2 2 46 15 13 3 3 43 13 86 Man City 36 13 5 0 48 15 13 2 3 43 18 85 Liverpool 36 14 3 1 47 17 9 6 3 34 21 78 Aston Villa 36 12 3 3 45 25 8 4 6 28 28 67 Tottenham 36 13 0 5 38 25 6 6 6 33 34 63 Newcastle 36 12 4 3 49 22 5 2 10 30 35 57 Chelsea 36 10 4 4 42 25 6 5 7 31 36 57 Man Utd 36 9 3 6 28 26 7 3 8 24 30 54 West Ham 37 7 8 4 31 28 7 2 9 28 43 52 Brighton 36 8 6 3 29 23 4 6 9 25 35 48 Bournemouth 37 7 6 6 27 28 6 3 9 26 37 48 Crystal Palace 37 7 4 7 32 26 5 6 8 20 32 46 Wolves 37 8 3 8 26 30 5 4 9 24 33 46 Fulham 37 9 2 8 31 24 3 6 9 20 35 44 Everton 37 8 4 7 22 18 5 5 8 17 31 40 Brentford 37 5 7 6 27 30 5 2 12 27 31 39 Nottm Forest 37 5 5 9 27 30 3 4 11 20 36 29 Luton 37 4 4 10 26 33 2 4 13 24 48 26 Burnley (R) 37 2 4 12 18 41 3 5 11 22 35 24 Sheff Utd (R) 37 2 4 12 19 54 1 3 15 16 47 16 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 PREMIER LEAGUE *Everton deducted 8pts ** Nottingham Forest deducted 4pts. DONCASTER (0) 0 CREWE (2) 2 Demetriou 6 Maxwell 16 (og) ATT: 12,889 (Agg 2-2) AET; Crewe Alexandra win 4 - 3 on penalties. Doncaster: Lo-Tutala, Sterry (Miller 112), Anderson, Wood, Maxwell (Olowu 112), Bailey, Craig (Westbrooke 101), Molyneux, Rowe (Hurst 60), Adelakun, Ironside. Subs not used: Broadbent, Jones, Waters. Booked: Lo-Tutala 122. Crewe: Stryjek, Billington, Turns, Demetriou, Adebisi, Thomas (Leigh 85), Tabiner (Austerfi eld 58), Tracey (Baker-Richardson 65), Rowe (Cooney 86), Long (Holicek 59), Nevitt (Kirk 105). Subs not used: Finney. Booked: Nevitt 23, Rowe 39, Austerfi eld 120. Ref: Scott Oldham. MK DONS (1) 1 CRAWLEY TOWN (2) 5 Dean 45 Williams 3 ATT: 10,053 Orsi-Dadomo 30, 48, 90 (Agg 1-8) Roles 80 MK Dons: Marschall, O’Hora, Tucker, Harvie, Lofthouse, Bate (Harrison 46), Payne (Williams 56), Tomlinson, Wearne (Tezgel 56), Gilbey, Dean. Subs not used: Norman, Lewington, Robson, Kelly. Booked: Tucker 63, Williams 83, Dean 90. Crawley Town: Addai, Wright (Mukena 46), Conroy, Maguire, Forster (Gordon 42), Williams (Tsaroulla 65), L Kelly, J Kelly, Lolos (Roles 53), Campbell (Darcy 54), Orsi-Dadomo. Subs not used: Sandford, Adeyemo. Booked: Lolos 40, Williams 61. Ref: Sebastian Stockbridge. LEAGUE TWO PLAY-OFFS SEMI-FINAL SECOND LEG HOME AWAY

DAILY MIRROR 13.05.2024 16 mirror.co.uk/sport/football DM1ST IN ASSOCIATION WITH WHAT A MOMENT United players and stafi celebrate their emphatic victory at Wembley RED & BURIEDLEAGUE TWO PLAY-OFF SEMI-FINAL TOP DOG ORSI IN HUNT FOR BIG BOUNTY CRAWLEY TOWN were tipped by many to be relegated to non-League – and hat-trick hero Danilo Orsi is happy for people to ‘keep calling us underdogs’. Orsi (above) was on target three times as Crawley won 5-1 in Milton Keynes to secure an 8-1 aggregate success and their spot at Wembley. They will face Crewe next Sunday for a place in League One next season and Orsi wants to prove the doubters wrong one more time. He said: “It’s a fantastic achievement. “It’s what we worked for all season – to give the supporters a day out at the home of football. “We will enjoy it as players, who knows what will happen? These are moments that will live with us all forever. “The job’s not done yet. There’s still one more game of the season left to finish SOLIHULL ARE DEALT YET MOOR MISERY BY JOSHUA PECK SOLIHULL MOORS suffered Wembley heartbreak for the second time in less than a week. And boss Andy Whing quipped that even England managers had been unable to match that feat. The Moors were sunk by Gateshead just six days after losing to Bromley in the National League play-off final. Both agonising defeats came on penalties with Tyrese Shade and Joss Labadie missing from the spot on both occasions. Whing (above) was left feeling the pain but is determined to bounce back next year. The Solihull manager said: “There won’t be many sides that have lost two Wembley cup finals in a what we set out to do at the start. “Everyone wrote us off, called us underdogs. Keep calling us that and let us finish the job at Wembley.” Crawley dominated from the off at Stadium MK and piled on the misery for Dons boss Mike Williamson. MK had finished eight points above Crawley in the regular season – but will have to go again in League Two next time. Williamson said: “It was really tough. I feel for the boys, we really suffered. “That was the hardest match I’ve ever had to watch and we’ve come up short. I’ve been in football a long time, and I’ve felt hurt like this before. “This is right there with the worst. “I think you can imagine how it is in the dressing room. When you see the boys hurting like that, they’re in a lot of pain, but that’s the industry. We’ve got to feel it, and now convert it. I’m very confident they’ll do that.” week on penalties – I don’t think England managers have managed that. “It hurts seeing people come down and support you when you’ve let them down twice. It has been a brilliant season but it’s ended in failure so we move on to next year. “We’ve been to two cup finals but we’ve failed both times. I’m not going to gloss over it. It is going to hurt and it’s going to be raw at the moment.” For Gateshead, victory at Wembley secured their first-ever FA Trophy crown. But interim manager Rob Elliot, who played in the Premier League for Newcastle, had sympathy for his opposite number. “They were brilliant,” Elliot said. “I’m gutted for them. I’m a huge fan of theirs and Andy has done and incredible job. “He’s manager of the season in my eyes.” Skinner looking ahead as United storm Cup final BY MEGAN FERINGA MARK SKINNER shut down insinuations that winning the Women’s FA Cup final would bring “relief” for the under-pressure Manchester United boss. “Never relief, never,” Skinner said after his side’s emphatic victory at Wembley over maiden finalists Tottenham. “If we believe that we should be winning everything every second then we’re not in the right space right now. That’s what we’re aspiring to be. “This gives the experience for the players to build on. “To be history-makers for this fantastic club, it is more than relief, it’s actually a very exciting moment.” A stunning first-half strike from Ella Toone followed by second-half goals from Rachel Williams and Lucia Garcia sealed a first major honour for United Women since their reformation in 2018 (captain Katie Zelem lifts the cup, below). The victory also marked the first piece of silverware of Un it e d ’s n e w INEOS era. And after a d i s a p p o i n t i n g league campaign that sees United slumping to a fifth-placed finish in the Women’s Super League, Skinner insisted t h e t r i u m p h c a n b e t h e springboard from which the club will leap into a dominant force in women’s football. He said: “We know as a club we want to be winning titles and winning trophies, the men are in a FA Cup final as well. “But for us I’ve been really excited by the energy that’s being driven internally and it won’t be long until we’re talked amongst the elite winners, especially the women’s team. “What INEOS have done is come in to assess where the club is at. I have no doubt that they will put us in a position to be successful.” Despite the heavy defeat, Tottenham boss Robert Vilahamn praised his side for reaching a first-ever major f i n a l w h i l e admitting the gap to the top remains to be bridged. “On a good day, we can beat those teams but if you don’t have a good day, then we’re not beating them,” the Swedish coach said. “We’re closing the gap but we haven’t closed the gap yet. “We need to take more steps, we need to develop more and get these experiences.” Despite a c o m p e t i t iv e f i r st h a l f , Tottenham’s poor showing in the second period was riddled with individual errors. And a howler from keeper Becky Spencer, which Garcia duly exploited for her second of the match, paved the way for United’s roaring triumph. But like United last season, Vilahamn said the experience of a cup final will only be a source of fuel as the team continue on their remarkable evolution since the arrival of their new coach. He said: “I told them this is not the end. This is actually just the beginning.” MANCHESTER UNITED: Earps 7, Riviere 8 (Aoife Mannion 78), Le Tissier 8, Turner 8, Blundell 7, Naalsund 8, Zelem 8, Garcia 9 POTM (Geyse 77, 7), Toone 8 (Miyazawa 78), Galton 6 (Malard 50, 8), Williams 8 (Parris 58, 7) TOTTENHAM: Spencer 5, Neville 5, JamesTurner 4, Buhler 4, Nilden 4 (Grant 68, 4), Summanen 3 (Graham 68, 4), Spence; Vinberg 5 (Shuang 54, 5), England, Naz 4 (Bizet 54, 4), Thomas 5 (Ayane 68, 4) Ref: Abi Byrne Att: 76,082 MAN UTD 4 TOTTENHAM 0 Women’s FA Cup fi nal GATESHEAD 2 SOLIHULL MOORS 2 AET: Gateshead win 5-4 on pens MK DONS 1 CRAWLEY TOWN 5 Crawley win 8-1 on aggregate NON-LEAGUE FA TROPHY FINAL